Island Roads have confirmed a planned road closure leading to Fort Victoria over the school Easter holidays has been rescheduled.
News OnTheWight reported this morning that the news that WightFibre had planned to be working on Westhill Lane, Yarmouth, which leads Fort Victoria, and therefore close the road during the first week of the Easter school holidays. This caused concern for businesses at Fort Victoria, who rely on Easter income to get them through to the summer.
Cllr Phil Jordan, the cabinet member for infrastructure told News OnTheWight this morning that he confident a solution would be found, and it’s good news for all.
Agreement reached to bring forward the work
An Island Roads spokesperson said,
“After concerns were raised regarding the road closure of Westhill Lane, all parties have worked together and reached an agreement to bring forward the works, which will now finish on 3st1 March before the start of the Easter Holidays.
“It should be noted that as a utility company, WightFibre has a legal right to undertake work on the highway to upgrade the Island’s broadband infrastructure. Island Roads cannot prevent this work – our role is to seek to minimise disruption on the network.
“We are pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement over an acceptable programme of works on this occasion.”
WightFibre: Intent of these letters is to start a dialogue with all parties
A spokesperson from WightFibre told News OnTheWight,
“WightFibre would like to assure you that we will work with our civil engineering contractors, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council to keep disruption to the minimum and although the duration is as stated we will endeavour to complete the works as quickly as possible.
“The intent of these letters is to start a dialogue with all parties affected and we invite anyone to contact us if they have any concerns with the information so that we can work together on a solution. There has been an overwhelming response from business owners and the community in the last few days in response to our advance notice of work, especially around the proposed road closure over the Easter school holidays, a very busy tourism period.
“We have had favourable meetings with the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads and together have come up with a proposal to complete the required work by 31st March 2023, just in time for the Easter Holidaymakers and locals to enjoy their usual trips to Fort Victoria and all the local businesses they support. At the time of writing this, the Isle of Wight Council have not been able to get a hold of Fort Victoria yet to give them the great news, but we hope that will be possible in due course. WightFibre will also issue updated letters to all the properties in Westhill Lane to give them the updated information.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused anyone following the vast number of posts on social media since Saturday and we hope that everyone will enjoy their trips to Fort Victoria as planned over the Easter school holidays.
“If anyone would like more information or discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Customer Service team on 01983 24 24 24.”
Article edit
6.40pm 28th Feb 2023 – Update added from WF
