After nine years of problems with Undercliff Drive, proposals by the Isle of Wight Council for improving Ventnor’s road access have garnered a luke-warm response from residents.
In the long shadow of 2007’s ‘Undercliff Drive scandal’, we found that many voters at the St Lawrence polling station last week were keen to see the matter resolved. [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/st-lawrence-undercliff-voxpops.mp3]
Proposals
The council now favour a ‘patch and mend’ approach to the ailing road, along with improvements to the inland route, at an estimated cost of £4 to £5 million.
Inland, changes may include traffic lights in Niton and Whitwell and a new mini-roundabout on St Boniface Road.
Critics have observed the new proposals are not really new, but look very similar to the ‘plan B’ first aired prior to the scandal, begging the question of why it has taken the council four years ago to come full circle on this issue.
A public exhibition of the plans continues until 26th February.
Whilst at the exhibition, we came across Niton resident John Stotesbury, who gave us a detailed critique of the proposals. [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/john-stotesbury-undercliff.mp3]
If you would like to make your voice heard without trooping down to the Botanic Gardens, the plans can be viewed online, with an opportunity to give feedback.
You can also email Chris Wells directly: [email protected]
The opportunity to comment will close on 5pm on Friday 26th February.
