Road resurfacing schemes are set to intensify in the coming months as the improvement work rolls out across the Island.
With the onset of warmer, drier weather, schemes that could not be undertaken in the winter months are now being scheduled in all parts of the Island with a greater emphasis on residential roads, now that many of the major routes have been upgraded.
Over 30 schemes are scheduled to take place between now and the end of June include those in Newport, Ryde, Calbourne, Lake, Sandown, Brading, Havenstreet, Apse Heath, Ventnor, Binstead, Merstone, Freshwater and Shanklin. However, as reported by Island Echo last month, there are still a significant amount of roads that are yet to be resurfaced, despite the core investment period coming to an end in April next year.
The majority of schemes are being undertaken during daytime hours, typically between 06:30 and 18:00 but with some specific schemes, particularly those with more challenging access/traffic requirements such as Trafalgar Road, which is a heavily used bus route, being undertaken during night-time hours to minimise any disruption to local traffic.
Residents affected by those schemes will receive advanced notification of the works by letter but are asked to check the yellow information boards on site as work can be rescheduled as a result of external influences such as the weather.
Pedestrian footways will remain open at all times throughout the works. On schemes where there is no footway, properties will be accessible, but there may be minor delays for public safety reasons when heavy vehicles are manoeuvring, or hot materials are cooling.
Residents who require urgent vehicular access whilst road closures are in place, are asked to contact the Island Roads contact centre on 01983 822440 in advance of their scheme start date so that any such necessary arrangements can be planned accordingly.
Keith Gourlay, Island Roads Construction Manager said:
“Our programme of resurfacing work starts each year in March and continues until around November time, depending on the weather. At this time of the year, work tends to intensify as we try to complete as many schemes as possible either side of the main summer holiday period.
“For residents this does mean that there are some periods of more significant disruption, but we recognise, as an Island reliant on the tourism trade, that we need to ensure visitors can get around the Island easily in the summer months.
“We hope however, that the improvements made to the Island’s roads will far outweigh any temporary disruption people may experience and thank residents in advance for their patience.”
this is good to know
just a shame this cable laying under all the pavements and making a utter mess. Must be a back hander or something if they are getting away with making the path unsightly
They have decided, in their wisdom, to resurface Undercliff Drive between the botanic gardens and St Lawrence in the daytime meaning that the only route out or into St Lawrence will be the shute. This road is congested enough at present during the day due to the undercliff being blocked by the landslip so how they expect it to cope with all this extra traffic I know not. I rang their “helpline” but they were not helpful and didn’t seem to know where the diversion was, though it was blatantly obvious and when I said there was no way the shute could handle the traffic all they could say was that they would keep an eye on the situation. Bit late when two vehicles have collided or got stuck. This road should have been resurfaced at night when there is very little traffic.
“Residents affected by those schemes will receive advanced notification of the works by letter”. I live in St lawrence and the first I knew about the Undercliff being resurfaced Between the Botanics and St Lawrence was the day before the road closure was due to take effect when they put the boards up. I have NOT received any letter.