Some useful info in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Over the Christmas period, alternative arrangements for a number of services are being put in place by the Isle of Wight Council.
Most of the council’s operations remain open until 4pm, Friday 23 December. After this time special arrangements have been made for certain services before all council offices reopen on Tuesday 3 January.
Adult social care
Offices close at 4pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January. An adult social care duty service (based at St Mary’s Hospital) will be open for emergencies only on 28, 29, 30 December (8.30am to 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday). Tel: 534227. The hospital social work team (adult services) will operate on a duty service basis on the same days. Outside of these times urgent calls should be directed to Wightcare, tel: 821105.
Children’s services
Offices close at 4pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January. All services for children will be covered from the St James’ Centre, 4-5 St James’ Street, Newport on 28, 29, 30 December (8.30am to 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday). Tel: 814374 or 814370. Outside of these times urgent calls should be directed to Wightcare, tel: 821105.
Housing
On-call arrangement for emergencies via Wightcare, tel: 821105.
Waste collections
There will be no waste collections on Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December. Collections will return to normal on Monday 2 January. The kerbside recycling box collections will slip a week, i.e. the first week of the new year will be a WEEK A collection. From 30 January 2012, the household waste collection service will change to improve recycling. In early January, residents will receive detailed information about the service. Further information can be found at www.iwight.com/waste
Christmas tree recycling
From Friday 30 December to Wednesday 11 January inclusive Christmas trees can be taken to:
Brighstone village car park, Ventnor Botanic Garden car park, East Cowes Esplanade car park, Ryde Waltzing Waters car park and Somerton park and ride.
Christmas trees can also be placed with garden waste at all household waste recycling centres.
Household waste recycling centres
Lynbottom, near Newport – open 7am to 7pm seven days a week (closed Christmas Day).
Afton, Freshwater – open 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 24, Tuesday 27, Saturday 31 December and Sunday 1 January (closed Christmas Day).
Forest Road, Newport – open 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 24, Tuesday 27, Saturday 31 December and Sunday 1 January (closed Christmas Day).
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, contact Wightcare, tel: 821105.
Highways emergencies
Flooding, fallen trees, traffic lights not working etc – tel: 821105. In severe weather (snow or exceptional rainfall), the highways emergency control room will be set up – tel: 823777.
Libraries
Council-run libraries (Cowes, Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor) close at 4pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January.
Ventnor Botanic Garden
The garden itself is open during the Christmas period, but visitors should be aware that for security purposes most of the car park is closed overnight from 4pm to 8am daily. Vehicles left inside this area cannot be released until the following day. The Royal Garden Cafe and visitor centre closes at 3pm on Friday 23 December until Monday 13 February. Full details at www.botanic.co.uk.
Leisure facilities
From Friday 23 December to Tuesday 3 January, the council’s leisure facilities at The Heights in Sandown, Medina Leisure Centre and Medina Theatre in Newport, Westridge Squash and Tone Zone in Ryde will operate seasonally adjusted opening hours. All leisure facilities will be closed on 25 December and 1 January (Ryde Sports Centre closed 24 December to 3 January). Full details of revised opening times are on display in leisure centres and on www.iwight.com/leisure, or can be obtained by calling leisure centres direct.
Register Office
Open on Saturday 24 December (by appointment only), Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December (9am to 4.30pm), tel: 823233. Closed (but undertaking marriages away from register office) on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Saturday 31 December and Monday 2 January.
Isle of Wight Crematorium
No cremations or burials: 26 to 27 December, 2 January (the grounds, chapel and Book of Remembrance Room open to the public, 2pm to 4pm on these days, weekends and holiday dates). All cremation papers should be delivered to the crematorium by noon on the working day before the cremation. Burials will take place on all other days at the usual times. Burial forms should be delivered to the cemetery office two clear working days prior to each burial.
Revenues, benefits and parking services and the customer account service
Council offices at Broadway, Sandown will close at 4pm on Friday 23 December and reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January. An automated payment system is available 24 hours a day, tel: 0207 1381970.
Cowes Floating Bridge
The floating bridge will operate a normal service throughout Christmas and New Year including 25 December and 1 January. Operating hours are 5am to 0.30am Monday to Saturday and 6.30am to 0.30am on Sundays. On New Year’s Eve the service will be extended until 1am.
