Island Buses:

Roadworks lead to short notice changes to bus routes in Niton and Whitwell

Thanks to Matt for sharing the following details with OnTheWight readers. Ed


On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th April Kemming Road and Rectory Road will be closed for roadworks between Niton and Whitwell.

As there is no suitable diversion available to route 6, all journeys on route 6 will start and finish in Niton (Buddle Inn), running between Newport and Niton only.

Limited service
As a result there will only be a limited bus service between Niton, Whitwell and Ventnor for the duration of the road closure provided by the Island Coaster bus route.

School buses
Alternative arrangements for school routes 311, 315 and 318 have been made with services running to revised routes and times, details below.

Alternative arrangements for Special Education Needs transport will be communicated directly to the parents concerned.

Island Coaster
The Island Coaster bus service will divert via Rookley and may run up to 20 minutes later than scheduled as a result of the lengthy diversion. Island Coaster buses will depart Whitwell for Niton and Yarmouth at approximately 10:25, 11:25, 13:55 and 17:25. Island Coaster buses will depart Niton for Whitwell, Ventnor and Ryde at approximately 10:53, 13:23, 15:23, 16:53 and 17:53.

No response from Island Roads
Since the works were confirmed as going ahead on the evening of Thursday 17th April, Southern Vectis have approached Island Roads and Isle of Wight Council to highlight the inconvenience the road works will cause to bus passengers and to determine whether alternative transport arrangements can be made for bus users between Niton, Whitwell and Ventnor. At present Southern Vectis are waiting to hear back from Island Roads.

Further details on the road closure can be obtained from Island Roads by calling 01983 822 440, further details on bus services can be obtained at www.islandbuses.info or by calling 01983 827 000.

Route 311 will start from Chale on its normal route but on revised times until Niton when it will then divert via Rookley and Godshill to Whitwell where it will go back onto its normal route and times.

Route 315 will start additionally from East Appleford Cottages and Kingates Barn to pick up Route 318 students, then operate its normal 315 route and times from Niton (New Road), but also collecting students from Niton who would normally access route 318, who will need to wait at New Road and not Rectory Road. Route 315 students from Whitwell should use either route 318 or route 320 from Whitwell Church.

Route 318 will operate its normal route and times until Whitwell Church and will then operate via Godshill and Rookley to school. It will also pick up route 315 students from Whitwell.

Route 311
Chale Green post office 07:15
Chale Church 07:20
Niton Church Street 07:25
(then via diversion to)
Whitwell Church 07:50
Upper Ventnor York Road 07:57
Wroxall Church 08:02
Sandown Bay Academy 08:15
Sandown Bay Academy 15:10
Wroxall Church 15:33
Upper Ventnor York Road 15:38
Whitwell Church 15:45
(then via diversion to)
Niton Church Street 16:10
Chale Church 16:15
Chale Green post office 16:20

Route 315
East Appleford Cottages 08:05
Kingates Barn 08:13
Niton New Road 08:17
Chale Church 08:24
Chale Green post office 08:27
Beckfield Cross 08:29
Billingham Manor 08:30
Chillerton Green 08:33
Medina College 09:00
Medina College 15:45
Chillerton Green 16:10
Billingham Manor 16:13
Beckfield Cross 16:14
Chale Green post office 16:16
Chale Church 16:19
Niton New Road 16:26
Kingates Barn 16:30
East Appleford Cottages 16:38

Route 318
Old Station 08:11
Trinity Church 08:13
Ventnor Albert Street 08:16
Whitwell Church 08:25
(then direct to)
Medina College 09:00
Medina College 15:45
(then direct to)
Whitwell Church 16:20
Ventnor Albert Street 16:29
Trinity Church 16:32
Old Station 16:34

Image: © Southern Vectis