There are major traffic delays in and around Sandown today (Monday) following the closure of multiple main roads.
This morning’s full closure of Newport Road, between Lake and Apse Heath, has resulted in lengthy delays for those travelling in and out of Sandown and Lake.
Adding to the disruption, Broadway – between Melville Street and Old Reservoir Lane – is also closed, forcing all traffic onto Perowne Way.
As a result, the diversion route is heavily congested, despite the introduction of temporary traffic lights at Lake Hill and Newport Road.
Work on the A3056 had previously been carried out under temporary traffic lights before the full road closure was implemented today.
Delays on Broadway are expected to continue until Wednesday (3rd June), while restrictions on Newport Road are due to remain in place until next Tuesday (9th Jun
I wrote to IWCC asking why they had not performed their legal obligations and ensured that disruption was minimised. I specifically asked about coordination and 24 hour working.
Rather than answering they passed my request onto Island Roads who gave the usual stock answers about safety issues working at night (They do it elsewhere so are presumably aware of electric lighting), disruption to residents (Though they didn’t clarify if this was the airport or the garden centre – neither of which are are open at night and both are badly disturbed by their works).
So, to I would ask our new councillors to come on here and explain how they plan to ensure this farce never happens again.
Though, from past experiences, I won’t be holding my breath.
I agree. On the mainland the highways departments can perform overnight works with minimal disruption. But it seems that Island Roads are able to do as they please, and certainly not work overnight. I may be wrong, but I don’t think they start early or finish late either. Much more protesting by email, letters and phone calls to our elected representatives, must eventually wear them down to do something about IR – winging on here is not the solution.
From what I see this lot cannot work in the day yet alone the
night.
Gawd help us if they try.
Is there actually anyone in charge? If so, are they actually qualified to do the job? Or are they just brain-dead? Answers on a postcard to Island Roads and the actual Highways Authority, who seem to have abdicated all responsibility for…well, anything.
Again I’d submit my suggestion that the Council appoint a Island roads ‘Czar’ with a couple of assistants. All proposed diversions and closures and the reasons why they were needed would go over his/her desk together with a time schedule. Perhaps something like this already happens. If not it should. The perhaps magic bullet would be the very big fines for those not fulfilling their commitments. Might not solve the problem but I reckon the many millions of pounds in fines would not only pay the costs of the department but concentrate the minds of the offenders.