Island Roads and the Isle of Wight council have come under fire over new safety measures that have been put in place on Ocean View Road.
A couple of weeks ago residents expressed their dismay at the four-way temporary traffic lights that were set up in order for the work to take place. The work was estimated to take three weeks to complete, but finished ahead of time.
Disbelief at position of bollards
However, this week some residents have shared their disbelief at the newly installed bollards – exactly along the section of footway where they used to walk.
Click on images to see larger version
The Twitter account for ‘Ventnor Popular Front‘ said
What in the holy heck are you thinking @IslandRoads @iwight?
Busy road in Ventnor and I now can’t safely walk the dog on the pavement as you have stuck in a load of bollards! What do wheelchair and pram users do?
Adjacent footway
As the photos show, the section of footway (ie. pavement) that runs along the road-side of the barriers is slightly narrower than most footways.
However, adjacent to it, either via ten steps or a slope accessible a few feet down Grove Road, is a wider footway that provides access from Grove Road and Mitchell Avenue to Ocean View Road.
Island Roads: Must meet modern safety requirements
News OnTheWight got in touch with Island Roads to find out the reason behind the installation of the bollards.
A spokesperson for the PFI contractor told News OnTheWight,
“Island Roads’ priority is to maintain the safest possible road and footway network. In doing this, we have to consider many factors and the needs of all road users – whether in vehicles or on foot.
“Following a detailed assessment last year, additional measures were agreed with the Isle of Wight council to ensure this location met modern safety requirements in terms of preventing vehicles leaving the carriageway.
“While the new bollards address this safety need, the work clearly means that the narrow section of highway on which they now stand, and where people may have previously walked, should not be used by pedestrians, particularly those with prams.”
IR: Section of highway already unsuitable for pedestrians
They added,
“In looking at the best safety solution, it was felt this section of highway was unsuitable for pedestrians as it is less than the minimum width recommended for footways – just 70cms at its narrowest.
“In addition, there is also a wider footway immediately adjacent which can be used by pedestrians as a safer and convenient alternative.”
