Councillor Ed Blake, who represents Ventnor and St Lawrence, has voiced his frustration at ongoing delays to the reopening of three key roads in the town.
He criticised the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads for their handling of Belgrave, Bath and Southgrove Roads, all remain closed, and two of which are years after initial problems began.
Belgrave Road: Still months from reopening
Councillor Blake said,
“The news coming from the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads that there is yet another delay in the clearing of rock from Belgrave Road is painful for residents to hear.”
He explained that it could be eight months from the original event before any reopening is even possible.
He blamed the hold-up on excessive bureaucracy,
“The main reason seems to be for the lengthy processes and hoops that must be jumped through, before so much as a stone is lifted.”
Councillor Blake added that this delay is impossible to justify to residents already dealing with “three seemingly permanent closures”.
Bath Road: Awaiting court decision
Turning to Bath Road which has been closed since 30th October 2023, Councillor Blake said the works cannot begin until a court case between the landowner and the council is concluded.
That hearing is due in late September – marking nearly three years since the road was closed.
Even then, he warned it might only be a preliminary hearing,
“This might not be actually settled on that day as it might just be to decide a later hearing date.”
Southgrove Road: Claimed, but no work
Councillor Blake also addressed the situation with Southgrove Road. He said the Isle of Wight Council has now taken ownership of the wall that needs to be repaired for the road to reopen.
According to him,
“They have supposedly asked a local contractor to begin works weeks ago but still no workmen in sight.”
Frustration mounts over Leeson Road ‘award’
In a final criticism, Councillor Blake expressed disbelief that the council and Island Roads have been nominated for awards.
This follows the reopening of Leeson Road, which took nearly a year to complete.
He described the situation as,
“… Yet another chapter in this nightmarish fever dream we seem to be stuck in.”
