Oh dear, the sun comes out and once again we’re getting reports of roads on the Isle of Wight melting to ‘liquid tarmac’.
VB readers have shared several updates on our Facebook page after we posted an alert from Twitter friend, mrs_cars, who told us, “The road into Newport by Bardon Vectis has again melted to a squishy goo!”
Widespread damage
Ian M Jones says, “The road from the bottom of Horsebridge Hill up to the County Showground is melting as well.”
Donna Hall says, “Quarr Hill is really bad too.”
Tracey Eve says, “We’ve just come through there and they chucking stuff over it now. Parts that not done are very sticky.”
Mike Downes says, “Just come thru there. It’s pretty much liquid Tarmac and cars are slipping on bends. Dempseys are out chucking something like grit over it but it’s not doing much good.”
What the council say
Despite this being a matter of safety, we’ve not heard anything from the council in the form of a statement or press release, but using our own means found the following information.
High temperatures have caused the re-emergence of problems with the softening of binder on some road surfaces.
From noon today the council has been treating the most badly affected roads with a dusting of smaller chippings. This has been in agreement with the contractor who surfaced these sections of highway earlier this year and has again confirmed they will meet the cost of this, together with final remedial treatment.
A section of road from Blackwater to Merstone, where the problem is most severe, has been closed on safety grounds for further works to be carried out. Diversions are being put in place.
It remains the intention, if temperatures allow, to re-open the road if possible overnight and in the morning. Updates will appear on iwight.com, on Facebook and in the media.
The council is also monitoring conditions on other roads and will take action as necessary.
Road closure and diversion
A3056 Sandown Road, Merstone will be closed from the junction with A3020 Blackwater Road (at Blackwater junction) to the junction with Merstone Lane from approx 4pm until 9pm (today, Tuesday 24 July ) and from approx 12pm (noon) until 9pm on Wednesday 25 July and Thursday 26 July 2012 if required.
DIVERSION ROUTE: A3020 Blackwater Hollow, Main Road (Rookley), Newport Road, High street (Godshill), Shanklin Road, Whiteley Bank, Canteen Road, Ventnor Road, A3056 Newport Road, Hale Common and Arreton Street.
Traffic travelling between Newport and Arreton can use: Snooks Hill, Staplers Road, Long Lane and Downend Road.
Image: Local People Archive under CC BY 2.0
