Residents in East Cowes spent over five hours directing traffic yesterday (Thursday) after a burst water main closed one of the roads, taking diverted traffic into the town.
The long-running and delayed closure of aertial road, York Avenue, has meant diversions for traffic going into and out of the town, which is also home to the Red Funnel vehicle ferry terminal.
Vehicles coming off the ferry were being directed down Osborne Avenue, then meeting traffic trying to get to the ferry which, but because of the road closure, were finding themselves effectively in a dead end. Confusion reigned.
Directed more than 1,000 cars
One resident told News OnTheWight that residents had dealt with more than 1,000 cars, after a confusion of diversion signs meant drivers were attempting to drive up Osborne Road from Clarence Road.
Osborne Road has been made one-way from York Avenue to take traffic out of the town.
Lorries backing up
This narrow road (Osborne) with parked cars, meant little room was left for passing vehicles, especially Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that found it difficult to navigate the tight corners and obstacles such as telegraph poles.
HGVs driving into town via Clarence Road and then being met with a dead end (closed for repairs to a burst water main) had to find a way to turn their vehicles around.
Police wouldn’t assist
A lorry driver concerned about the gridlock got out and asked residents to call Police to direct drivers.
News OnTheWight spoke to a resident who said she’d called 101 and was told that Police were there to help if there was an accident. The resident said there needed to be direction from Police to avoid an accident taking place.
The resident also called Island Roads to try and resolve the confusion with the signs,
“They tried to excuse it by saying that some signs were theirs and others were Southern Water’s.”
Love: Situation was “absolutely hideous”
Isle of Wight councillor, Karl Love, who is also a Cabinet member in the new Alliance Group administration, told News OnTheWight,
“What must our Island visitors think of this total chaos, where they had little or no chance of escaping without the help of residents.
“Despite my pleas for help to Island Roads and others little help us provided.
“I thought things were bad before and I’ve taken quite a lot of serious complaints from residents, but yesterday was absolutely hideous.”
Full review of highways needed
Cllr Love went on to say,
“Left and didn’t know what the right hand was doing and it clearly demonstrated the need for a full review of East Cowes highways and emergency plan.
“In fact we don’t really know if there is an emergency plan for our Island gateway. I have written to Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads and others asking for the development of a plan! “
He finished by saying,
“I totally get it that an incident occurred, but it’s how we deal with it that really matters and we didn’t deal with it well. That’s why I want to see an emergency plan developed for our Island gateway which looks at every aspect of highways, floating bridge, Red Funnel and business needs.
“I share the frustrations of residents and businesses. Please, please take care on our highways and especially now the residents living in various streets including Osborne Road, Yarborough Road and Old Road.”
