Calls are being made for Internet provider, WightFibre, to reschedule works planned in the Fort Victoria area of the Isle of Wight during the Easter holidays.
See update on the situation, as works have now been rescheduled.
The Isle of Wight Reptilarium say they’ve received notice from WightFibre that Westhill Lane, Yarmouth, which leads Fort Victoria where they are based, will be closed in the first week of the Easter school holidays.
Cllr Phil Jordan, the cabinet member for infrastructure told News OnTheWight he is confident a solution can be found.
“Easter takings get us through to the summer”
They say,
“Having survived the pandemic, battled/battling our way through the energy crisis, now our local Internet provider want to block off access to us during the first week of the Easter holidays.
“Our funding model is based on Tourism, we take most of our income in the summer and that gets us through the winter until Easter, by the time Easter arrives we have not much left in the kitty, so our Easter takings which are ten times a normal week’s admissions get us through to the summer.
“That is how we survive. With no Easter admissions we are in a bit of a predicament.”
“Where are the 150+ cars supposed to go?”
They go on to say,
“WightFibre stated that they will allow pedestrian access, but no mention of where the 150+ cars are supposed to park to come visit with no access to the car park.”
Lowthion: Taking away a week of Easter holiday takings will be devastating to these businesses
Local politician, Vix Lowthion, has called on Island Roads and Wightfibre to urgently reschedule the works.
Cllr Lowthion said,
“Fort Victoria is a tourist destination which really relies on the support of visitors to the Isle of Wight – especially during the school holidays.
“The Reptilarium, Planetarium, Imaginarium, exhibition, shops and cafe are all run by independent traders who are already finding the energy and cost of living crises are pushing them to the edge of existence.
“Taking away a week of Easter holiday takings will be devastating to these businesses. The Reptilarium is a small zoo which needs access to look after the animals. The country Park itself is a stunning, outdoor location which Islanders and tourists both enjoy, with free parking, especially welcome at this difficult time.
“The road to Fort Victoria is already only passable by single vehicles in some places. Any work along the road will effectively close access and really badly affect the Country Park.”
Jordan: Confident we can find a solution
Cllr Jordan told News OnTheWight,
“I have already asked our Highways team to investigate this issue.
“Preliminary discussions have taken place with WF and my understanding is they are looking at a potential delay in starting works or adapting works to prevent any full road closure.
“A meeting is planned for later today and I am due to be updated afterwards. I am confident we can find a solution as we have elsewhere in difficult circumstances and situations.”
News OnTheWight has written to WightFibre and Island Roads to ask whether they are able to reschedule the works. We’ll update once we hear back.
Article edit
8.18am 28th Feb 2023 – Comment from PJ added
