Land at a notoriously dangerous crossroads is being purchased by the Isle of Wight Council, as part of a plan to make it safer.
Four years ago, a woman was killed and others were seriously injured at Vittlefields Cross, when cars and a bus were involved in a collision.
Changing position of a hedge
Now, the Isle of Wight council is making moves to buy land so it can change the position of a hedge to improve visibility, at the junction of Forest Road, Whitehouse Road and Betty Haunt Lane.
The idea was first approved in January 2021, leading the Isle of Wight coroner to say it did not do enough to prevent future deaths, nor significantly improve safety.
In response, to Caroline Sumeray’s comments, County Hall said it was ‘committed to fund’ reviews, junction design ideas and the construction of a new layout at Vittlefields Cross, with both short and long-term options being considered.
Petition called for traffic lights
It previously considered installing traffic lights at the crossroads, after a 7,000-strong petition, but ruled that out, saying it could increase the risk of rear-end shunts.
Skid-resistant surfacing has been installed.
Complete by end of March 2024
Further work, on the new land, will be complete before the end of March, subject to the purchase process, the council says.
However, details of what it plans to do there are yet to be released.
Island Roads: Roundabout best option
An Island Roads report said a roundabout would be the best option, bringing what it said would be a 50 per cent drop in accidents at Vittlefields and ‘significantly’ less chance of fatal or serious injury accidents.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
