The controversial closure of an Isle of Wight road has raised ‘serious concerns’ over the decision-making, monitoring and communications around closing highways, councillors have agreed.
Full council voted to request the subject be treated as a ‘priority matter’ of highways governance, accountability and public confidence, in a motion passed at County Hall last week (Wednesday).
Chair, Councillor Ian Dore, who put forward the submission, said members from different political groups have been saying the same thing:
“The Island’s highways arrangements are not giving residents and businesses the confidence, clarity or accountability they deserve.”
In reference to the recent closure of Firestone Copse Road near Wootton, the motion said no formal recorded risk, safety or displacement assessments have been disclosed, and no clear formal options appraisal or decision record has been produced. It said:
“The disclosed papers reveal blurred accountability and inconsistent communications, including confusion between Island Roads’ delegated decision-making role, Southern Water’s supporting role, the practical implementation of the closure, and the management of the closure itself.
“Residents and businesses experienced significant disruption, while the wider record raises concerns about member engagement, public communication, and whether the council’s own standards of transparent, accountable, and well-recorded decision-making were met.
“The Firestone Copse Road closure has raised serious concerns about the evidential basis, decision-making, communications, monitoring, and governance surrounding highway closures undertaken through the Island Roads Highways PFI and the Council’s Highways function.”
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The council agreed to refer concerns as an ‘urgent’ matter to the appropriate committee or committees for consideration.
Cllr Dore’s motion also requests the council consider and make recommendations on commissioning an independent ‘contract assurance review’ of the Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI), including the integration, oversight, and operation of the local authority’s highways department, at meetings in September.
The proposal also asks that the matter be brought back to full council for further debate and decision, no later than November.
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, an Island First Network member who chairs the economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure (ERTI) committee, told the chamber work has ‘already been commenced’ with a verbal update due at the ERTI committee this week.
Conservative councillor Matthew Price also spoke of his frustrations at the ten-day closure of Fairlee Road for works he said could have been done while keeping the road partly open.
Cllr Chris Jarman suggested the matter be brought before the policy, finance and resources (PFR) committee to consider cost implications.
Liberal Democrat representative Andrew Garratt emphasised the importance of County Hall ‘owning this issue’ and said councillors have to ‘bear the brunt’ of residents’ frustration.
Cllr Les Kirkby, of Reform UK, said he felt that over the last few years, the council and Island Roads have been working ‘against each other’ rather than together.
