Work is underway to improve relations between Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council after a previous relationship breakdown and “a lot of mistrust”, a councillor has said.
Reform UK leader at County Hall, James Whelan, spoke of “confidence and trust” and working together following a Godshill Parish Council meeting in his Central Rural Ward on Monday evening (7th September 2026).
Motion for meaningful consultation
Councillor Whelan’s comments come as the Isle of Wight Council prepares to vote on a motion calling for ‘meaningful consultation’ with councillors, town and parish councils, and affected businesses and residents before major scheduled road work projects are finalised.
Liberal Democrat councillor Nick Stuart’s submission, due to be considered next Wednesday (16th September 2026), cites ‘significant disruption’ caused to residents, commuters, emergency services, and the local economy by ‘poorly managed’ and ‘apparently uncoordinated’ road closures.
Building trust with Island Roads
Councillor Whelan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS),
“There was a lot of mistrust between elected councillors, the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads and the relationship broke down.
“It’s about building up that relationship now, this is what we’ve been trying to do and we’ve worked very, very hard to do that.”
Asked how the relationship has been built up, he said,
“Confidence and trust in what we’re saying we’re going to do. We’re not there to embarrass each other in front of the public and I think that’s what the last administration was doing.
“To work together and not work as a separate entity.”
Firestone Copse Road concerns
In July, Isle of Wight councillors formally agreed the controversial closure of Firestone Copse Road has raised ‘serious concerns’ over the decision-making, monitoring and communications around closing highways carried out through the Island Roads private finance initiative and the council’s highways function.
At the time, County Hall’s independent chair, Councillor Ian Dore, said members from different political groups have been saying the same thing,
“The Island’s highways arrangements are not giving residents and businesses the confidence, clarity or accountability they deserve.”
During the same meeting, Reform UK councillor Les Kirkby said he felt that over the last few years, the council and Island Roads have been working ‘against each other’.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
