Island Roads will undertake a major project to replace the entire deck of Yarmouth Bridge in the Autumn, with the main road between Yarmouth and Freshwater to be closed for around 2 months. It will be the first time the deck has been replaced in its entirety since 2009. The work is planned to begin on 23rd September and last up to 8 weeks, during which the structure will be closed to road traffic with the usual diversion via Wilmingham Lane and Middle Road in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout work. Cyclists too will still be able to use the bridge during work as long as they dismount and Island Roads is also working with the harbour commission to minimise disruption to river traffic. The work has been planned for outside the main holiday season to minimise inconvenience but also at a time of year when there is a reasonable chance of mild weather which is helpful to the performance of some of the materials being used. Nathaniel Saunders, Project Manager, has said:
“Though we are doing the work out of season it is nevertheless inevitable that there will be some inconvenience to river and road users so we would like to thank them in advance for their understanding. “It is important that the bridge is kept in good order and the complete replacement of the deck should reduce the need for maintenance-related closures in the future.”
At 90m long, Yarmouth Bridge is the Island’s second-largest bridge. It is a 7-span structure comprising of steel main beams with composite timber decking.
Then there will be road works on all available diversions, ffs.
See if I’m wrong!
That gives wight fibre water board electricity time to plan work in same area
Well done island roads for scheduling this shortly after Pixley hill roadworks stopped all buses serving Norton and Westhill road for 6 weeks (which was posted initially as a 2 week closure, but it over ran for 4 weeks)
Why couldn’t the bridge works have been scheduled at the same time so not making life even more difficult for residents.
I don’t buy the “schedule to not impact on the holiday season”. The residents pay the council tax, not the holiday makers and it is the residents you are affecting the most.
No bus serving that route causes a major problem for what is in the main elderly residents who don’t all drive and will struggle getting to the shops in Freshwater.
I think i’ll withhold a percentage of my council tax
You know they’ve done this deliberately to ruin your life? So unfair!
Huff, whine, cry
15 years does not seem much of working life for the deck. Perhaps alternative materials should be investigated.
Let’s hope there is adequate fire cover at Freshwater fire station then as an emergency the other side of the bridge would take 30-35 minutes from Newport. If they are out on a incident then it’s Ryde or Ventnor if available.
Also same could be said for the Ambulance service.
Hope there is emergency planning being done?
Don’t worry about the inconvenience to the council tax paying island residents, lets just make sure those non council tax paying tourists don’t get inconvenienced, wouldn’t want to upset the tourist season would we…
Oh please…does it REALLY take two months.
Get some proper men on the job if you can find any.
Mostly identifying as village people these days, sadly.
Best comment on here so far !!!
Two months?? Sounds like two part-time men and one shovel. We know it needs doing but GET ON WITH IT please!
Perhaps we could lend them them the floating bridge!!
Great idea. Proven technology
Time to roll out 20mph speeding limit on
Island Roads
Oh my god! Another diversion. Another issue!
They should build a bridge from freshwater to Yarmouth.
They should build a bridge from east Cowes to West.
They should build a bridge from Southsea to Ryde.
They should build a bridge from fishbourne to Portsmouth.
They should build a bridge from ventnor to shanklin.
It’s just all so unfair.
And other opportunity for the key board warriors to moan… you got a new road at Copse Lane and want to still moan??? I would love works in my home town and business town… be pleased your getting it and go back to roasting road kill… the diversion is like 5 minutes extra….i bet 90% of your don’t even go out of the area?