The flashing warning light system installed on the Military Road at Afton Down has not been working for over a decade, it has been revealed.
Newly elected councillor, Becca Cameron, raised the issue after noticing the lights had not activated during recent cliff falls. The Isle of Wight council has now confirmed the system failed before 2013 and is no longer in use.
Council’s response
Isle of Wight council say the early warning system, installed in 1997, became redundant before the start of the Highways PFI contract in 2013 due to failure of the original extensometers.
A stabilisation project in 2003 introduced 44 inclinometers, which are still monitored by Highways PFI Contractor, Island Roads – however this is only annually and not in real time.
The six remaining extensometers have shown no signs of movement.
Island Roads have recommended the installation of a new extensometer at the western end of the pile system.
Why are signs still in place?
The council state that the old warning lights no longer meet modern signage standards.
OnTheWight has asked if this is the case, why the signs have not been replaced or removed. We’ll update you once we hear back.
They also say that in the event of a cliff fall posing a risk to highway users, they would close the road using physical barriers and notify relevant stakeholders through the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order process.
Monitoring to continue
Although the chalk cliffs behave differently to those involved in the recent Leeson Road landslip, the council says it continues to carry out regular visual inspections alongside manual monitoring of the remaining instruments.
Meeting called for public answers
Councillor Cameron has arranged a public meeting to discuss the situation and seek answers. It will take place on Monday 30th June from 7pm to 9pm at the West Wight Community Centre (West Wight Sports Centre).
Councillor Cameron said,
“The council has agreed to meet us.
“Hopefully the IW council can answer all your questions at this meeting.”
