After announcing on Tuesday that a new one-way system for all traffic from Godshill to Whitwell was being requested, there appears to be much confusion among drivers. And given the signage, it’s not surprising.
Long detours
The suggested diversion through Niton, Chale and Rookley would have seen long detours for drivers heading out of Ventnor, with the changes planned to address what was being described as traffic chaos, with two thirds of roads in and out of Ventnor currently closed.
Why the closures?
On Sunday night a large landslide by the edge of Leeson Road, Bonchurch resulted in the road’s closure, and on the next day Newport Road (near the Graben) was closed due to a collapsed sewer.
This meant that all traffic heading in and out of Ventnor had to use the Whitwell Narrows. Three roads’ worth of traffic into one, leading to long tailbacks at certain times of the day on Tuesday, so by the late afternoon, a spokesperson for Island Roads shared a map of the planned diversion.
Signage says otherwise
However, as you can see from the photo below, the signage at Whitwell for northbound traffic clearly states:
ADVISED DIVERSION
HGVs via Niton & Rookley
Therefore most non-HGV drivers have continued to drive through Whitwell to Godshill via the Whitwell Narrows.
IR: One-way restriction is mandatory
News OnTheWight asked Island Roads this morning to confirm the situation about the diversion through Whitwell. Their response was,
“The one-way restriction is mandatory for all vehicles.”
We’ve forwarded photos of the signage and await more clarity from Island Roads.
