Earlier in the month, OnTheWight reported about Blue Badge residents caught up in ping pong parking dispute in Lowtherville (Upper Ventnor).
On 9th September, in response to the re-closure of Leeson Road for borehole drilling and monitoring following the catastrophic Bonchurch landslide in December 2023, parking restrictions on several roads came into force.
Disabled bays suspended
In the plans, Newport Road is the only one on the route between Ocean View Road and St John’s Road (Wroxall) where parking restrictions have suspended disabled bays. On Ocean View Road, Clarence Road and St John’s Road disabled bays remain in force.
Newport Road resident, Stephen Oakes-Monger, has two disabled bays outside his home, one for his wife and the other for a neighbour. After much back and forth, he’d been told by Parking Services that he was able to use the disabled bay without fear of a penalty notice — so what about the other one?
Contradictory statement
OnTheWight has spent the last two weeks chasing a reply from Island Roads, which directly contradicts what the council’s Parking Services Department have told Stephen.
A spokesperson for Island Roads (as approved by Isle of Wight council) told OnTheWight,
“The purpose of the restrictions is to prevent vehicles parking in certain narrow sections of the diversion route so traffic can pass smoothly through the area.
“Unfortunately, any vehicles parked in these restrictions may hinder that smooth movement of vehicles so there are usually no exemptions to these temporary traffic orders.
“However, such restrictions are constantly monitored, and we will of course work with the Highways Authority to accommodate any adjustments.”
As you can imagine, the two blue badge holders living on Newport Road remain confused.
