The holiday period is only a matter of days away now and working folk will be looking forward to having some time off to enjoy with the family.
That includes all those who work hard at the Isle of Wight Council too, such as the friendly and helpful guys who man the customer support lines, the refuse collectors, the benefits advisers and libraries amongst others.
The Council have usefully provided details of what will be closed and for how long. You’ll find details in this month’s One Island mag, but also detailed below.
Customer Call Centre
The council’s Call Centre along with Newport Help Centre will close from 4pm on 24 December for five days. It will re-open between 9am – 4pm on 29, 30, 31 December but will be closed on New Year’s Day before operating under normal working hours from Friday 2 January.
Highways
Anyone needing to report a highway’s emergency, such as a fallen tree or faulty traffic lights, should ring (01983) 525121 or 823777. For non-emergencies, a Highways message recording service will operate from 1600 on 24 December until 0800 on 2 January.
Council Property
For emergencies involving council buildings, people should ring (01983) 821105. This number should also be contacted should any residents have an emergency relating to Adult and Community Services including Housing and Wightcare.
Benefits
Isle of Wight Council Revenue and Benefits Service, which is based on The Broadway in Sandown, will close from 1600 on 24 December and will re-open from 8.30am on 2 January.
Libraries
Library opening times at branches across the Island will be affected between 24 December and 2 January. Customers should contact their local library for opening times.
Wightbus
The council’s Wightbus service will operate a revised timetable and service on certain days over the festive period. There will be no service on 25, 26, 28 December while a normal Saturday service will run
on 27 December. Revised timetables will be in operation on some routes on 29, 30 and 31 December. There will be no service on 1 and 4 January while a revised timetable will be running on 3 January.
Refuse Collection
Refuse and recycling collections will be changed for three weeks over the Christmas period. Revised collection dates are being advertised in local press and are also detailed on the council’s website.
The civic amenity sites will be open as normal during Christmas, apart from Lynnbottom which will be closed on Christmas Day only.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Christmas tree recycling bins will also be available in the following car parks from Saturday 3 January until Friday 26 January 2009, inclusive: Brighstone Village, Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Lake New Road, Ryde Waltzing Waters, Cowes St Mary’s Road and East Cowes Esplanade.
Christmas trees can also be placed with garden waste at all civic amenity sites.
Leisure Centres
Individual leisure facilities operated by the council, including leisure centres and entertainment venues, have all published revised opening hours. Customers should contact the individual centres or venues for further info or log on to council’s leisure website.
Image: Laffy4k
