Main road brighstone

Island Roads to focus on some of the most sub-standard stretches of road

This in from Island Roads, in their own words, Ed


Some of the Island’s most sub-standard stretches of road are to be improved by Island Roads in the next tranche of work to upgrade the network under the Highways PFI.

The latest phase of resurfacing will see roads across the Island improved. The roads have been identified either because of the poor condition of the surface or the substructure.

Island Roads Service Director Paul Herbert said,

“Everyone is aware of the poor state of the Island’s highways network – with the Isle of Wight previously being ranked at the bottom of a national road conditions survey – and it was one of the key reasons that the Island was selected for PFI funding.

“It is a major project and the work will be completed as part of the agreed seven-year core investment period. This programme prioritises the worst roads, or stretches of roads, whether it is their actual surface or substructure that is of particularly poor quality.”

The planned work follows other recent schemes including those at Rew Lane, Wroxall and Knighton Shute, Newchurch, that were brought forward in the programme because these stretches had been particularly affected by the Christmas and New Year storms.

Running alongside the rolling resurfacing programme is our regular highway maintenance that addresses surface deterioration until the longer term work is undertaken.

Mr Herbert said,

“As a result of the resurfacing work, it will mean some disruption to motorists but we know the long term benefits to the highway network will outweigh any short term inconvenience.

“Once again we will be informing residents of upcoming schemes ahead of work commencing and details of the programme – which is subject to change – are displayed on our website – www.islandroads.com ”

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Cynic
7, May 2014 1:46 pm

Steyne Road Bembridge -where the surface has now worn away three layers in places and not forgetting that it is a major traffic route for buses, delivery trucks and holidaymakers in and out of the village?

martin william wareham
7, May 2014 3:26 pm

The photo at the top shows how bad Brighstone roads have become over the last few years I hope they sort out the flooding problems at the same time.

cers121
7, May 2014 4:23 pm

The Roads from Wroxall to Ventnor, Shanklin, Ryde & Newport are all a minefield of Pot Holes trying to avoid one here and there would be bad enough but on these stretches of road its just impossible. I could not be a driver on these roads, how any driver manages to get from A to B is beyond me, let alone in one piece. Im sure many… Read more »

tryme
7, May 2014 6:35 pm

Station Rd, Wootton.

retired Hack
7, May 2014 6:39 pm

It seems Island Roads may finally have responded to public incredulity and cynicism at their previous mantra, which was to do the best roads first. The exact logic escapes me, perhaps because there wasn’t any.
Anyway: the rest of Kemming Road Whitwell; High Street, Whitwell; and Blythe Shute, Blackgang, please.

Charlie
7, May 2014 6:54 pm

Does Herbert’s comment, “… long term benefits… will outweigh… short term inconvenience.” mean that the top road layer will definitely last longer than it took to stick it down?

tiki
7, May 2014 8:06 pm

I notice the town markings at Coppins Bridge are worn away again. They were all repainted about 10 months ago….?

tryme
Reply to  tiki
7, May 2014 8:27 pm

Were they really, tiki? I’ve been thinking just recently how very faint they are, making it hard enough for locals to stick to the correct lanes, let alone visitors. Quite dangerous, I’d say, because it’s not as though one sticks to the same lane at each part of the circuit, so clashes are quite likely now, I’d say.

tiki
Reply to  tryme
8, May 2014 3:03 pm

I’m pretty sure they were done late last year. I shall check with IR and get back to you :) Not good value for money if they need redoing again ! I have come close to being side swiped several times due to people being in the wrong lane.

tryme
Reply to  tiki
8, May 2014 3:10 pm

Absolutely, tiki, this is an obvious concern. Thanks for checking it out.

OHMY
7, May 2014 9:53 pm

It has taken over three months to fill in a pothole that was made by Island roads in the first place. It was a small cover in the road that Island roads were raising but didn’t finish properly,and it eventually got to four inches deep, you must have seen it if traveling along Carisbrooke road,in middle of road very near the garage at the bottom of Wellington… Read more »

tryme
Reply to  OHMY
7, May 2014 10:03 pm

Lovely description of that man losing the plot, Ohmy!

Peter Whiteman
8, May 2014 9:38 am

They should be doing major carriageways the top of Staplers and Havenstreet Main Road and Rookley Road to Niton It must be a nightmere for motorcyclists trying to miss potholes.
The list is endless.

Colin
8, May 2014 9:48 am

Island Roads approach to potholes is little short of derisory. I regularly report potholes via their website and have found the response to be deteriorating from a promising start last year. The recent pathetic response to the multitude of potholes in Newman Lane at Chale highlights many aspects of why those ultimately reponsible for Island Roads paycheque (i.e. the council) need to get a grip on the… Read more »

Sheila Ferguson
11, May 2014 9:36 am

They should have a look at Appleford Lane which is used as a “cut through” by people travelling from Chale Green to Niton. The road is disgracefully potholed – and it’s being blamed on the local residents. My personal opinion is that this little country lane should be closed apart from “access only” for local residents.

Charlie
Reply to  Sheila Ferguson
11, May 2014 10:08 am

So, Appleford Lane, not Appleford Road, eh? Ah yes, looking at Google Maps, I can see how that would be a shorter route.

Must be awful for you to live in a beautiful part of the Island, and yet having to endure the ugly public traveling on the road outside your home.

Sheila Ferguson
11, May 2014 9:39 am

There’s also a huge hole at the bottom of Whitesmith Road in Newport – and also a drainage problem here. Drivers either avoid the enormous pothole or the equally big puddle – can’t do both! Mainly to the detriment of pedestrians!

CB500
11, May 2014 10:30 am

I would like a very simple answer from the council. Costs aside, we were told we were getting ‘new’ roads. I took this to mean that the road would be dug down perhaps a foot and completely remade. All I am seeing is Island roads putting a basic two inch skim of tarmac over at the moment. So, can anyone at the council tell me what they… Read more »

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