Thanks to Retired Hack for sharing this latest news from Niton. In his own words. Ed
In Niton and surrounding areas, villagers face the renewed danger of icy condition with no immediate prospect of their main route to Newport being salted – in spite of a 550-name petition going to the IW Council this week (Tuesday 8th January).
December saw a spate of accidents on the untreated section to Rookley, with one man ending up in hospital and police repeatedly forced to close the road.
Government direction?
Council officials claimed a government “direction” prevents them from using more salt on the network, though the basis for this claim has so far not been provided to campaigners.
With the responsible Cabinet member, Eddie Giles, away from his desk, paid officers have so far been left to deal with media queries – even though the Council’s Constitution calls for Cllr Giles to respond. Council leader David Pugh holds Cllr Giles’s portfolio in his absence, so the petition has been addressed to him.
Freezing forecast
At a community meeting in Niton on Saturday (12th January), ward councillor Dave Stewart, who is also a Cabinet member, told villagers he planned to meet strategic highways manager Peter Hayward within the next week.
But with temperatures set to plunge below freezing as early as tonight, and ice a danger for the rest of the week, it seems that quite a few people will be driving to work on their nerves again.
Campaigners are urging villagers to contact Cllr Giles at Edward.Giles@iow.gov.uk
