This in from Highways PFI contractor, Island Roads. In their own words. Ed
This programme by Island Roads is the most intense schedule of works yet to be undertaken through the Highways PFI under which virtually the entire road network will be improved over the next seven years in what is called the project’s Core Investment Period (CIP).
The surfacing material used to deliver the programme will be supplied locally and, where practical, crews will work through the night to minimise the impact the resurfacing will have on road users. This work will also be mindful of any impact on residents living in the vicinity.
Multi-media communications plan
Accompanying the programme will be a multi-media communications plan to help ensure all residents will know about the work in advance.
The programme will coincide with on-going work to maintain a significant number of the Island’s most potholed stretches of road ahead of their planned resurfacing within the CIP.
Island Roads will also be unveiling plans to undertake over the winter, major geotechnical schemes to maintain the highway at two prominent locations prone to ground movement.
“Residents will now see work intensify”
Island Roads service director Paul Herbert, said:
“As I am sure residents know by now, the Highways PFI is the largest engineering project ever undertaken on the Island. As we move out of the main tourism period and, assisted by the plans through a joint venture to supply the quality materials the project requires, residents will now see work intensify.
“This is the first major element of what will be a rolling programme of activities to improve the condition of our highways network. We know that for many years residents have wanted to see the highway network greatly improved – now they are about to see the work required to do that really begin in earnest.”
Paul added:
“While we will make every effort to keep the impact of the work to an absolute minimum, some level of disruption is unfortunately inevitable. We apologise for this in advance but hope any short term inconvenience is offset by the long term advantage of seeing the Island’s roads and pavements being brought up to the standards required.”
“We will endeavour to inform residents of the works starting so they can plan their journeys accordingly.”
Gilbey: “Island’s roads are badly in need of repair”
Councillor Jon Gilbey, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for highways said:
“As residents are all too aware, the Island’s roads are badly in need of repair so it is welcome news that Island Roads is now ready to start this comprehensive programme of work.
“I am pleased the works are taking place after the school summer holidays when the Island’s roads are at their busiest due to the influx of holidaymakers.
“Works of this scale will inevitably cause some disruption to residents, however in developing the Highways PFI contract the council took steps to minimise this by restricting when some of the works can take place, for example by avoiding main commuter times and large Island events where possible.”
The initial programme of work, which may be subject to change, should there be adverse weather conditions.
The Island Roads mobile visitor centre will be at James Square, Newport on Thursday 29 August between 10.30 and 12:30 when residents will have the opportunity to find out more about the programme.
Given there was no mention of where the major works would take place, we asked Island Roads for details of locations.
They replied,
Our draft programme includes works to surface sections of the following roads:
Whippingham Road, East Cowes
Pallance Road, Cowes
Medina Avenue, Newport
High Street, Carisbrooke
Station Road, Wootton
Swanmore Road, Ryde
Sandown Road, Shanklin
Arreton and Downend Road, Arreton
Kemming Road, Whitwell
Shanklin Road, Godshill
Copse Lane, Freshwater
Main Road, Newbridge
Main Road, ShalfleetThese are not in date order but offer a selection of some of the locations we will be surfacing through our next trance of work and are subject to change.
Island Roads will be notifying residents and businesses directly affected by our works closer to the confirmed start dates of these.
