This in from Gavin on behalf of Island Roads, Ed
Island Roads is to create a temporary access road that will serve the busy Arreton Barns complex during the forthcoming major work to upgrade the main road through the village.
The new temporary access would also provide a drop-off point for Arreton St George CE Primary School children.
Work to reconstruct more than two kilometres of the main road through Arreton and Newchurch will begin on Monday (20 April). Under the scheme, the road will be closed to through-traffic so work can be undertaken day and night, six days a week in order to re-open the road as soon as possible.
Businesses agreed to 12 week schedule
Island Roads has previously met with businesses affected by the much-needed work to determine the best approach.
The meeting with over 30 representatives from local businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of undertaking the work as quickly as possible and under one closure for up to 12 weeks, rather than in a series of shorter closures which the meeting felt would cause cumulatively more disruption.
Island Roads has undertaken to complete the works under a rolling programme which will mean the road will, in the main, be excavated and re-built in 400 metre sections meaning no business or property will be without access for the full duration of the 12-week closure.
Increased signage
In another measure to support affected traders it will place large mobile electronic signs at either end of the road closure advising motorists how they can access businesses.
And in a further step they have this week agreed to provide a temporary access from Downend Road giving full access to the Arreton Barns complex which includes The Dairyman’s Daughter pub as well as shops and local craft outlets. The road will be built at the expense of Island Roads.
Island Roads: “Tried to do all we can to help”
Keith Gourlay, Island Roads, construction manager, said;
“We have tried to do all we can to help local traders and school users who will be affected by this scheme which, though badly needed, will inevitably cause some disruption.
“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the owners of Arreton Barns for this new temporary access road which we hope will assist all the business there. We do hope that people will continue to visit these attractions and indeed all the businesses affected during this work.”
In another development, Island Roads has confirmed the road improvement programme will be scheduled to ensure there is full access to the polling station at Arreton Community Centre on May 7.
