This in from Cllr Bob Seely, in his own words. Ed
An Island County Councillor is this week calling for spending on road safety in the Back of Island.
Cllr Bob Seely said,
“We have one of the few schools in the Island that doesn’t have 20mph speed limit around it, we have a 100-metre bridge with no pedestrian walkway, and there are some junctions and corners where national speed limits are just plain daft.”
Cllr Seely, whose Central Wight ward which runs from Brook in the West to Rookley in the centre of the Island, has written to Cllr Jon Gilbey and the Isle of Wight Council to highlight a number of danger spots in the Back of the Island.
Community Highway Fund
Earlier this summer, the Council have agreed a £100,000 Community Highway Fund to help support safety projects.
“I am delighted that the Independent Group have backed the idea of the Community Highway Fund – as proposed in budget negotiations earlier this year – and I am grateful for the work that Cllr Jon Gilbey has done.”
Cllr Gilbey is responsible for roads on the Isle of Wight Council’s Independent Group leadership.
Cllr Seely said,
“I have nearly 20 locations where there are safety concerns. Whilst the £100,000 needs to be spread evenly throughout the Island, its important that the needs of rural residents in areas such as mine are listened to.”
Setting out concerns
In a letter to Cllr Gilbey, Bob Seely sent a list of 19 locations where residents have voiced safety fears.
Cllr Seely said,
“In Rookley, there is a dangerous bend north of the village where there are regular accidents.
“In Chillerton, we lack flashing signs around Chillerton School. We also need traffic calming at the southern end of the village. One of the residents told me that she felt her children were safer sailing across the Atlantic then walking down the street.
“Between Chillerton and Billingham, there is a dangerous junction where accidents are regular. Residents clubbed together to put up a mirror.
“In Brighstone we have a road bridge with no footway for pedestrians.
“In the village of Billingham there’s no speed limit. There are children living in that village. There are bus stops. Occasionally drivers go through the village at speeds well over 60mph.
“These are just some of the safety issues I m asking the Council to look at.”
He finished by saying,
“It is not just about lowering speed, it’s about money being spent on better, clearer signage and thought going into traffic planning.”
