Temporary traffic lights have been erected – at cost to the taxpayer – around a poorly positioned caravan in Wootton, which has been parked extremely close to the carriageway, posing a potential hazard to motorists.
Earlier this week, Island Roads attended Whiterails Road – between Wootton and Newport – when rubbish was seen spewed across the carriageway.
Island Echo understands that the gentleman living in the caravan was less than happy to see the operatives when they knocked on his door, resulting in the matter being escalated to Island Roads’ District Steward.
Now, following a site visit by the Steward, the decision has been taken to erect 2-way lights around the caravan. This not only disrupts traffic, but comes at a cost to the public purse.
It’s thought the mobile trailer arrived in the layby on Whiterails Road around a week ago.
Since then, concerns have been mounting about the caravan door opening straight into live traffic – and the fact the occupant has been seen in the middle of the road in the dark.
The Isle of Wight Council had 2 members of staff on site this morning, but they refused to comment.
UPDATE @ 15:28 – An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said:
“The Isle of Wight Council’s Public Realm Officer team became aware of a developing situation where a potential environmental offence may have occurred.
“The council appreciates that situations like this can be difficult for those involved. Our Public Realm Officers made several attempts to make contact with any individuals who may have been inside the vehicle parked in the layby.
“After further enquiries and liaising with Hampshire Police, officers investigated any potential environmental offences, and as a result of those enquiries, enforcement action has been taken in relation to littering contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
“The Public Realm Officer Team have been working closely with Hampshire Police as part of Operation Clean and Safe and will continue to take enforcement action where necessary.”
Really? Police unable/unwilling to do anything? Fly tipping/littering?
Fly tipping comes under statutory duties of local authority (council). Why do you assume police?
This isn’t a police matter. This is one for the Council to sort out
It’s parked in a layby… where’s the hazard to drivers? Seems like a ‘jobsworth’ excercise to me.. Waste of time, waste of money.Bigger hazard is the traffic lights and cones.!
Yes and doesn’t it look attractive? Let’s all just set up home at the side of a road, shall we? Not a hazard at all. Welcome to the Isle of Wight.
I know it’s a nuisance and an eyesore but it is in a layby and until it is moved it is not causing an obstruction to traffic unlike the temporary traffic lights!!
Actually, the ‘awning’ on the side of it is extending over the carriageway (so large vehicles have to swerve round it), and he’s chucking all his rubbish (and otherstuff) out onto the carriageway.
and (unfortunately), there is the safety of the person living in it, that has to be considered.
if a lorry clipped the awning & sent the small van flying,…
of if he steps out of the door (which is in the road side), or throws something out of it , just as someone is passing….
it’s a public highway… not a camp site.
Why is it allowed to be be there & why are the council / IR not removing it.
Queston (for those who actually know,.. not just guesses or assumptions)
Cars, motorbikes etc, have to me MOT’d, Taxed & Insured to be used / kept on a public highway. and definately have to be in a ‘roadworthy’ condition.
What about trailers / caravans etc ?
AFAIK they don’t need to be taxed, or formallty MOT’d but what about Insurance ?
My neighbour has dumped a caravan outside his house on the road,been there years,been reported as a fire hazard lots of times as its full of cardboard,and what do island roads do about it?
nothing!
Maybe helping the person who js clearly on his arsenal for one reason or another has no other option other than a tent helping him maybe isn’t a bad thing
I believe it should have, to be legal the registration of the towing vehicle that dropped there on the back.
Everyone should give him a blast on the horn
Yup….agreed!! At 3am, then at 3.30am, then at 4am ad infinitum 😉
Someone needs to get up there and tow it out the way then.
Well tow it all a way he has no right to be there stop pandering to this sort of stuff..
It is a public layby, no parking restrictions that I can see, so yes he has a.right to be there. Not to litter, if that is connected, but nothing to.stop him being.there
There wouldn’t be all this fuss if it was a car or lorry parked in a lay by. Those lights & cones are obstructing the highway.
Ffs pathetic roads at it again!
Drivers are constantly delayed by relentless roadworks.
This hunt should be made to move his van in and get the lights down. What next, will this idiot put a fence up.
Taxpayers paying for the incompetency of the council who could just issue a tow truck to move it off the road and deal with it instead of erecting temporary traffic lights. We really have some morons in council over here. I csn almost hear the muppet show song.
Just grow up and move it. How much more can the Taxpayers keep putting their hands into pockets that are struggling more than ever to make ends meet
So true
Put all rubbish from outside back inside and tow away to a safer place where he can get on with his choice of lifestyle and everyone else can get on with there’s.
Who towed it there. Can’t the van be re-positioned by the person who took it there?
Why the easy way out traffic lights being a pain in the arse. TOW OUT THE DUMPED CARAVAN. Not rocket science eh?
It’s not that close the carriage way. A motorcycle would never be tha t close to the kerb. If it is a hazard it should be moved. Obviously a very little control freak behind it , with an incentive to hire plant. No consideration for Road user or the environment with all the waiting traffic pumping out exhaust gases. Motorists paying for extra fuel
, being late w ight all the consequences.the power mad numpties couldn’t have made a worse job if they tried. If it’s illegal or a genuine hazard, tow it away, job done. If it’s not leave it. Not keep visiting by officials and police
Hang on stop defending him, he’s living in a caravan that is an eyesore, not paying council tax etc, leaving rubbish outside! Move him on, I pay council tax so should he??
The island is a joke when it comes to parking.
Tow it away.
Roll on devolution we need brains running the island
not brawn.
Parking on Pavements and Double Yellow Lines is also
rife on the island.
Wheel clamps and towing vehicles away happens in the
real world the Mainland
Officials made attempts to make contact. Try banging harder, he may be in the basement or on his veranda.
Just hook it up and tow it away, full stop.