A letter urging ‘immediate safety measures’ be implemented on a busy Island road as a ‘matter of urgency’ has been sent to the Isle of Wight council.
Northwood Parish Council has written to County Hall leader Phil Jordan ‘on behalf of’ Pallance Road’s ‘residents and users’ with requests including a reduced speed limit, better safety signage and installed speed indicators.
Response to safety concerns ‘completely unacceptable’
The open letter, signed by chair of the parish council Councillor John Pullen and dated 3rd December, said Councillor Jordan’s response to a 4th July 2023 public meeting highlighting residents’ safety concerns was ‘completely unacceptable’.
Concerns included speeding vehicles, ‘oversized prohibited lorries’, dangerous incidents and ‘near misses’ involving young children.
One resident reportedly had her car door hit by a passing vehicle while she was putting her children into a car.
Staff shortages
According to the letter, Councillor Jordan’s response centred on the ‘prioritisation’ of the A3056 road in the east of the Island and ‘certain staff shortages’ including the transport programme manager, local transport planner, project manager and ‘other traffic personnel vacancies’.
The letter said,
“Forward planning should have resolved these issues before they had arisen.
“Although budget constraints can be a hard barrier to cross in the current financial climate, the safety of all residents, including children, is paramount at all times.
“Measures must be put in place immediately to resolve the obvious dangers brought to your attention and that of your highway colleagues.”
Stats for road usage
Northwood Parish Council also noted a number of statistics relating to Pallance Road and the disquiet among users and residents.
An ‘official traffic survey’ recorded more than 21,000 vehicles driving on the ‘minor residential road’ over a six and a half day period in July 2023.
Speeding traffic
Of the 21,000 recorded, more than 4,000 broke the road’s 30 mile per hour speed limit with some moving at over 60 miles per hour.
An October 2021 Northwood Parish Council questionnaire found 73 per cent of residents and users of the road did not feel safe as a pedestrian.
Opposition to housing development
As part of its objecting comment to a proposed 14 house development off Pallance Road, the parish council said safety measures mentioned in the letter to Councillor Jordan should be included in a legally binding agreement with the developer if the proposal goes ahead.
Councillor Jordan has been approached for comment.
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
