Isle of Wight Council Chairman, Councillor Karl Love, has slammed the ‘disgusting’ removal of trees from a roundabout in East Cowes.
Taking to Facebook, Councillor Love, an East Cowes resident and representative, said the removal of the trees on the roundabout near GKN Aerospace by Island Roads was unacceptable and unnecessary, due to the site being purpose-built with green and environmental elements in mind.
Cllr Love added that the trees could have been thinned out and maintained and that the actions of those responsible has destroyed a bird sanctuary and intended green area.
It is believed that the decision was taken without the thought of public consultation for ‘safety reasons’.
An Island Roads Spokesperson has said:
“The safety of all road users is, of course, our primary concern in managing the highway network across the Isle of Wight. The works undertaken at the Whippingham Road/Saunders Way roundabout were necessary safety work to restore the junction-wide visibility at this location.
“For a roundabout of this size, the national standard recommends that road users can see the whole of the circulatory carriageway. We identified that the vegetation restricted the visibility of vehicles using the roundabout, potentially increasing the risk of road user conflict.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is clear that the previous planting arrangement for this roundabout was not suitable, as the heights and density of the shrubs planted limited visibility. We also acknowledge that the one tree planted in the centre was not a suitable species because it could not be managed to ensure its canopy did not restrict visibility.
“Whilst we appreciate the visual severity of our recent activity, this was an initial measure to ensure works were undertaken before the bird nesting season began and are part of a wider plan to replant the roundabout with soft landscaping more appropriate to its location.
“Once works are completed and the shrubs are established, we will ensure they are maintained at a lower height. We believe our work will improve the visual appearance once the new planting is in place, as well as improve the safety.
“We have undertaken maintenance cutting recently at other sites, such as the roundabout outside B&Q at St George’s Way to achieve better visibility and where the plant growth had outgrown limited space available within the roundabout. We continue to monitor these and other roundabout sites and will take appropriate action where necessary.”
If Karl Love spent more time actually speaking to Island Roads instead of taking to Social Media and posing for photographs, he’d get a lot more done. ‘Green Space’… it’s a roundabout ffs… And it’s better if you can see the traffic on the other side of it, surely, then your judgement in moving out of the junction will be better…? Or is it just me?
A good safety measure, opens up the roundabout and akes things a lot safer.
So you are unable to use your eyes?
Give way to traffic coming from the right. It is very simple. Looking at this photograph, WITH THE TREES IN SITU, the view ahead is clear, the view to the right is clear, the view to the left is clear. So what’s the problem ?
Island Roads are in business to make a profit, nothing wrong with that, but they need to be controlled! They need to be told that from a point of view of keeping this Island looking rural & beautiful, IF IT AIN’T BUST DON’T FIX IT!
Island Roads are run by Cowboys
Yee-haw
Replace with shrubs that wont grow so big, cant leave it looking like that ☹
As chairman, wasn’t it his business to know it was about to be done in order to have a consultation?
I was shocked Island Roads actually carried out any
works, they usually spend all day in their vehicles
Illegally smoking in Company vehicles.
Lol
The chevrons at the Race course roundabout, approached from Newport obscure the view on the right, It’s OK for Chelsea chariots being able to see over them but for most they are a menace and block vision. Lower them to the ground or put them in a place earlier on the approach.
That is why half the island are driving around in
Van’s.
Lol
It’s the same with the roundabout on the entrance to Somerton trading estate in Cowes. It’s built so high that you can’t see what’s coming the other way.