At a packed public meeting in East Cowes last month the Island’s MP Andrew Turner asked representatives from Eurovia Roadstone, the company behind the controversial plans for an asphalt plant in Cowes, what alternative plans were in place to supply asphalt to fulfil the Island’s roads PFI contract if their planning application were to be refused.
Mr Turner was told by Patrick Reilly, the company’s Divisional Director, that, “I believe that there are a lot of contingency plans well advanced.”
Although he made it clear he was not speaking as a representative of Vinci Ringway, the PFI contractor, Eurovia Roadstone are a subsidiary of that company.
Council has no contingency plans for an alternative supply of asphalt
Mr Turner said, “I have followed Mr Reilly’s comments up. I have been told that the Council has no contingency plans for an alternative supply of asphalt – because they don’t need them. Under the contract it is a matter for the contractor where they source their materials. As Mr Reilly is clearly aware that contingency plans are in place then he must be talking about plans that have been developed by Vinci Ringway.
“They should come clean and tell Islanders what they will do if this application is refused. Will they come to a supply agreement with the existing asphalt plant at Blackwater Quarry, submit plans for another plant elsewhere, or bring asphalt across the Solent from the mainland?”
Vinci Ringway should be up-front
He added, “I understand that Eurovia Roadstone have said that they want to make sure their relationship with residents is positive. I assume that Vinci Ringway would also say the same.
“They can start now by being up-front about what alternative plans they are considering should this planning application be refused.”
