It’s understood by On The Wight that the Conservative administration at the Isle of Wight council will tonight cite the PFI roads contract (starting 1st April, 2013) as the saviour of some of the currently unsalted Island roads, but residents will have to wait until next Winter before they see the salt on icy roads.
Originally highlighted last year
Around the Island many residents have been concerned that frequently-used roads are not being salted when icy conditions arise. On The Wight highlighted this as early as the start of December last year.
Back then the council cited ‘salt limitations’ that were put in place way back in 2009/10 as a reason for not treating the roads when the temperatures drop.
Accidents occurring on Niton-Newport road
Despite a number of car accidents on the Niton-Newport road in the past one month+, the council have refused to change their mind. In frustration of a lack of action, concerned village residents raised a petition in the village seeing 550 people sign it to demand action.
Council unable to produce “government direction”
Faced with a demand to see a “government direction” allegedly tying councils’ hands on how much winter salting could be done, the Council has reviewed its policy and agreed to include the route on those to be treated from next winter as part of the PFI contract.
At the same time officers have admitted that government advice was aimed at a short period in January 2010 when a second consecutive harsh winter raised the threat of a national salt shortage.
‘Salt socks’ only partial successful
Experimental “salt socks” have been placed at several points on the road where run-off from fields freezes. Campaigners say early indications are that these have been only partly successful.
A campaigner told On The Wight: “We’re pleased with progress so far, particularly at being able to debunk this myth about a government restriction. But this winter isn’t over yet, and the “salt socks” need to prove themselves. If they don’t work, then more will need to be done.”
Update 23:24 Added PFI start date
