Following news a couple of weeks ago that the Cowes to Newport Cycle track would have to close from 26 April whilst drainage works took place, we hear from the Isle of Wight Council this afternoon that the cycle track will not be closing on that date after all.
The council tell us that they’ve been in negotiations with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) for several weeks to try and find a diversion that would avoid cyclists having to use the main road.
It’s not clear whether the closure date has just been postponed or scrapped completely (we’ve asked and are awaiting a response), but we’re told that negotiations are continuing between the Council, SEEDA, contractors and a local landowner, so we expect more detail soon.
Update: In response to our query as to whether the closure is a postponement or cancellation, the response from the press office is as follows
As stated in the release, we are working with SEEDA to minimise disruption to track users by putting suitable diversions in place which are relatively short in distance and maintain a traffic-free route between Cowes and Newport. Negotiations are ongoing, we will provide more information as soon as we are able to do so.
In the meantime, cyclists who thought they’d have to look for a diversion from the 26th can relax (or keep pedaling).
Cllr Edward Giles, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport said: “While it is important for the council to support the Stag Lane development, we are also mindful that the Cowes to Newport Cycle track is extremely popular and that closing it for a prolonged period would cause significant disruption to users. We have been in talks now for several weeks and hope to be able to agree a scheme which will minimise disruption and ensure that a localised diversion route is in place thereby avoiding diverting cyclists along the main Cowes to Newport road.”
Image: Crystian Cruz under CC BY 2.0
