Island Roads is continuing a busy programme of work to upgrade and improve the structures that support the Island’s road, cycleway and footway network.
A number of schemes will begin in the coming weeks as part of a rolling programme to improve bridges, culverts and retaining walls Island-wide.
Park Road Bridge near Wootton will be closed while works are carried out. The work will begin in early September and last up to 8 weeks. Residents will be able to access their properties at all times and access to local businesses will be maintained via Lushington Hill.
The deck of Carpenters Road Bridge at St Helens will also be replaced in a 4-week scheme beginning in September. The road will be closed at the bridge during this time but access to properties and businesses will be maintained.
Fatting Park Bridge, on the Wootton to Whippingham cycle route, will be strengthened in a 4-week project after the school holidays. Island Roads will be looking to keep to a minimum any closures of the path during the work
Haseley and Blackrock Bridges will have deck replacement work in the coming months. Divers will be used to undertake some of the initial work without the need for any closures or diversions. The main work at Haseley Bridge will begin in mid-September and last up to 6 weeks, during which a diversion will be in place.
The Blackrock Bridge deck replacement will begin in late October and last between 4 and 6 weeks, during which that section of the cyclepath will be closed.
2-way lights will also be in operation while a section of the deck of Free Place Bridge on the main road through Wellow is also replaced in a scheme starting early in October and lasting up to 6 weeks.
Part of the bridge deck at Ladies Walk, Binstead will also be replaced during up to 6 weeks of work beginning in September.
Meanwhile work to repaint Yarmouth Bridge is ongoing and Island Roads continues to talk to local businesses about the scheduling of the most difficult forthcoming phase – that to repaint the swing bridge section of the structure.
Ian Hodson, Island Roads structures manager, said:
“There are scores of these structures that, while often not seen by road users, nevertheless play a crucial role in supporting the Island’s road network.
“Island Roads has a duty to ensure these structures are upgraded and maintained to a high standard and to do this we need an intense programme of work. This often means replacing all or part of these structures. This is major work that can mean that there is some disruption to those who drive, walk, cycle or ride over them.
“Naturally we take what steps we reasonably can to minimise disruption but work of this nature often does require a part or full closure for safety reasons. We would like to thank all users of the network for their ongoing co-operation and understanding.”
It would be useful if they worked more than 2 hours a day, bless them. You NEVER see them working after 3pm. And how many times do you see 6 guys in Hi-Viz standing around, whilst one poor sod does all the bloody work? That’s one of the problems with Health and Safety, (or plain common sense, as it was called when I was a nipper!), it takes one guy with a clipboard, to be watched over by at least 2 overpaid “managers”, to make sure he ticks the right boxes, one bloke digs the hole, he is watched by an H & S muppet to make sure he is using the spade correctly, and it takes 2 more Island Road numpties to check they are all wearing hard hats and goggles. ….and this is why the new layout at St Marys roundabout is going to take 18 bloody months, whereas it could all be done in a few weeks if they all stopped scratching their arses, worked in shifts so that work was going on 24 hours a day and really meant it when they come out with that tired old line “We would like to thank all users of the network for their ongoing co-operation and understanding.” Yeah right, thanks Island Roads, but there is a funny smell here and it seems to be coming from the rear end of a bull! Rant over. Peace and love, people
I hadn’t seen a picture of Fatting Park bridge since the 1960s when I travelled a lot by train. It marked the start of the long descent towards Newport. Some drivers would give the engine free rein to gather speed until just before Fairlee tunnel then apply the Westinghouse brake. What fun, I wish I could do it again !
Nobody wants the roundabout changed, but everyone want a bridge from East to West Cowes built , so why cant someone stop them wasting ( OUR ) money on bullshit, and make them get on with the things this Island is crying out for.