Road closures across the Isle of Wight have reached levels that are prompting residents, businesses and elected councillors to voice serious concerns – and one tool can help you navigate the disruption before you even leave your driveway.
The one.network website allows drivers to check planned roadworks and closures across the Island’s road network before setting off, potentially saving considerable time and avoiding lengthy diversions.
We’ve regularly found one.network more reliable than Google Maps for journey planning, and it also covers England, Scotland and Wales.
Simply locate your usual route on the map. If there are any icons on the route, click on them to find out more about the roadworks, closure or diversion.
Island Roads also have details of current roadworks etc on their website.
Residents and businesses feel the strain
Complaints have been mounting over recent months from people who feel the sheer volume of closures has gone beyond what anyone would consider normal.
Businesses in particular have flagged the disruption, with some reporting that customers simply cannot reach them, or that deliveries face significant delays because of unexpected road closures.
Residents, too, have expressed frustration – often discovering closures only after they have already set off, leaving them facing long detours on already-stretched rural routes.
Councillors call for answers
The level of concern has reached the council chamber, where elected members have begun pressing for explanations about why so many closures appear to be running concurrently or in close succession.
Councillor Ian Dore went further than most, calling for an independent review into the situation – a signal that the issue has moved well beyond everyday grumbling and into territory that demands a proper response.
What you can do right now
Until the situation improves, the most practical step any driver can take is to check one.network before travelling, particularly on routes that have seen repeated disruption.
Taking two minutes to check before you set off could make the difference between a straightforward journey and an unexpected detour adding half an hour to your day.
