Island Roads is once again providing support for Mountbatten’s Walk the Wight – with a big change to traffic arrangements in Bembridge this year. For 2024, motorists will be able to enter Bembridge from Brading/Yaverland but a temporary one-way restriction will be in force. It means anyone leaving Bembridge will have to do so via St Helens, creating a lengthy diversion for those dropping off walkers at the start of the event. Across the 26.5-mile route from Bembridge to the Needles, there are 12 road crossings that have to be carefully monitored through closures, temporary lights and one-way systems. On the flat route from Sandown to Shide, the crossing at Blackwater Hollow is arranged by Island Roads staff. Walk the Wight is now in its 34th year and Island Roads, on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, gives highways management support to help get the walkers safely across the Island. Last year, 20 operatives provided 255 hours of support with 8 traffic orders created for road closures and one-way systems, 271 signs placed and 677 cones placed. The traffic arrangements will be in place throughout the day but restrictions will be removed once the last walkers have passed the crossing points. The provisional timings for the crossings are:
Main Walk
Bembridge start – Road Closures and One-way System
- Approx 4 hours between 05:00 – 09:00
Knighton Lane, Newchurch – One-Way system
- 6 hours between 06:00 – 12:00
Mersley Lane, Newchurch – Road closure
- 6 hours between 06:00 – 12:00
Down End Arreton -One-way
- 8 hours between 06:00 – 14:00
Carisbrooke (Start of Half Walk) – Road closure of Whitcombe Road/Nunnery Lane/Marvel Lane & Clatterford Shute
- 9 hours between 07:00 – 16:00
Lynch Lane, Brighstone – Road closure
- 6 hours between 10:00 – 16:00
Flat Walk
Golf Links Road – Road closure
- 3 hours between 08:00 – 11:00
Island Roads and Mountbatten are also asking cyclists to take care when using shared use paths, which will be particularly busy with walkers during the day. Cyclists are asked to dismount whenever they encounter large groups of walkers, particularly on the Flat Walk. Lorraine White, Mountbatten’s Fundraising Manager, said:
“Island Roads are a huge supporter of Walk the Wight and the event simply wouldn’t be possible without their time and expertise. “We’re so grateful to their team for ensuring our flagship fundraiser runs as safely and smoothly as it possibly can. “So many hours and brains go into the creation of this epic event and we feel very lucky to have Island Roads helping us make the magic happen.”
“We have been working with Mountbatten for the last few months on this plan and it really is a labour of love for us. It is such a unique and inspiring event. “We all know people who have had cause to use Mountbatten’s services. “We would like to thank motorists in advance for their co-operation during the day and wish everyone a successful and safe Walk the Wight.”
Mountbatten are still looking for general volunteers to help with the event. Anyone interested in helping should email [email protected].
They will literally do anything but fixing potholes, 3 months to fix a traffic light, wastemen (and women).
This will be a box of sh1 t with island roads organising traffic control if their everyday traffic management is anything to go by
So what direction will Downend road flow when it’s one way ?
Top job island roads but let’s wait for the Karen’s and Keven’s that can do better behind a keyboard locked in a darkened room at their mums house they should of left 20 years ago, waiting for the negativity and dam right lack of knowledge on how it all works!! Well done to the chaps giving up their weekend away from families to help.
Found the Island Roads worker
Unfortunately not just an island business man who’s tired and fed up with moaning people, I have a real successful business supporting island business. I am so bored of people with little knowledge commitment on stuff they know nothing on!!! Takes 30 seconds to see the council are taking the piss!!! Went to the tip this weekend and what the would call a dangerous pot hole on the road seems to be missed at the tip pothole well over 50mm deep but not an emergency???? So go jog on Keven unless you like to dress at weekends Karen!!!
More likely to be Derek and Doris in their retirement bungalow.
Any event that causes disruption to motorists are a nuisance
Why create such a farce when people are just walking the Wight
Shouldn’t be a problem, the Island makes a drama when ever an
Event takes place.
Carnivals are the same, open roads straightaway when the
Events are finished, don’t milk it.
Sorry to be a nuisance on the walk, but it’s a great cause and when I make it to Tennyson Down I can feel the spirit of my lovely sister who was taken too soon by cancer.
“Cyclists are asked to dismount whenever they encounter large groups of walkers, particularly on the Flat Walk.”
Yeah, that won’t happen!!
Asking cyclists to dismount if they come across groups of walkers and to take care when on shared paths is something they should do anyway…
Amazing though that the lycras took over the islands shared paths and roads yesterday with not a single care for others safety. Ryde was a total debacle with the traffic lights and roundabouts seemingly only there to add to their fun…