A sign declaring a two-month road closure for a narrow street in Ventnor, where parking is persistently a problem, has caused great concern for residents.
St Catherine Street, which leads from Victoria Street to Madeira Road, is earmarked for closure from next Wednesday, 28th September, until 25th November for retaining wall works.
Access to properties will not be restricted
However, what the sign doesn’t say is that residents’ access to properties and Beaconsfield Road will not be restricted.
Island Roads have told News OnTheWight they will be reviewing the signage “to ensure it conveys the most accurate information”.
Will residents be able to park?
Some on-street parking on the west end of the road is likely to be temporarily suspended for one week during the seven weeks of retaining wall works and around four spaces will be suspended up at the east end of the road for about a week.
Letters explaining the above were apparently sent to residents in the road at some point in late August, although several residents say they never received one.
What’s taking place?
A collapsed section of a retaining wall will be rebuilt, repointed, vegetation removed, parapet stones to be replaced and work to be carried out via rope access.
Access to Wheeler’s Bay car park will not be affected during the road closure.
Response from Island Roads
As responses from Island Roads to the media have to also be approved by Isle of Wight council, it takes a while for answers to come back to us.
This one took more than 21 hours whilst members of the public can get a faster response.
A spokesperson for Island Roads told News OnTheWight,
“As explained to residents of St Catherine’s Street in a letter drop in August, we will shortly be undertaking work to rebuild and strengthen sections of the retaining wall there.
“In order for us to carry out this work, which will involve specialist rope-access teams, we will need access to two sections of the wall in St Catherine’s Street.
“The first section, at the Wheeler’s Bay Road end. is mostly covered by no waiting restrictions but we may need to suspend the on-road parking on up to three spaces for one week during the work which is scheduled to last up to seven weeks.
“We will also be working on a shorter section of the wall at the Madeira Road end for up to a week at the end of the scheme. During this shorter phase, it may be necessary to suspend up to four spaces so our work crews will be able to gain access to this location.
“We are aware that parking is limited in this area and we will make every effort to ensure as few spaces as necessary are restricted and for the shortest possible time.
“Though St Catherine’s Street will be closed so our teams can work safely, access will remain to all properties.
“Wheelers Bay car park will also remain open although we will be using seven spaces as a site compound.
“We will review signage currently on display to ensure it conveys the most accurate information.
“This work is necessary in order to safeguard the integrity of the road in St Catherine’s Street and we thank residents in advance for their co-operation and understanding during the project.”
News OnTheWight has asked Island Roads to confirm that pedestrian access from Madeira Road to Victoria Road via St Catherine Street will be maintained throughout the works.
They replied that it would be.
Article edit
9.50am 23rd Sept 2022 – Pedestrian access confirmation added
