Wootton Bridge: Further background sent to councillors

Following the report yesterday (Thursday) about upcoming disruption being likely at Wootton Bridge, we’ve managed to find some more detail.

Below is the email that Cllr Phil Jordan sent out to all Isle of Wight councillors last night.

He’s the Executive Member responsible for Highways PFI, and therefore roads.

The bolding in the text are added by OnTheWight to break up the text to try and make it more simple to read.

Dear Councillors,
This is perhaps an unusual communication to you all but you will see and appreciate, I’m sure, the need for quite a few of us to be aware of an imminent problem developing in Wootton.
“Serious structural weaknesses”
A structural assessment carried out by Island Roads has found that Wootton Bridge has developed some serious structural weaknesses which will require a reduced weight limit being imposed.
Island Roads is currently investigating as a matter of urgency measures that may be available to mitigate the severity of weight restriction that will be necessary until a permanent scheme is identified and all the necessary approvals and consents from landowners and other relevant agencies are secured.
Weight and speed limit likely
We realise that the bridge is part of the strategic road network and that any restrictions will cause disruption. We are taking all steps to minimise this inconvenience but advise that the bridge is likely to require weight and/or speed restrictions on its use.
There will be a need to have an efficient traffic management diversion system in place if, and when, a road closure to repair the bridge is required.

Heavy traffic would be diverted via Sandown
The diversion routes will have to take heavy traffic – articulated lorries essentially – away from Fishbourne and through Ryde, Sandown, then Arreton towards Newport and south of the Island.
Smaller lane use possible
There is every possibility that vehicles *might* try to use smaller lanes such as Firestone Copse Road and Newnham Road to get to Havenstreet and thereafter on and as such we could well expect severe difficulties in and around these certain areas and also Lake and Sandown. Ashey Road and the Downs Road are likely to be affected also.
It will certainly, eventually, cause concern to many residents and businesses and we should be aware that the out turn of disruption may well spill out much further afield than just Wootton.
Four week to four month closure possible
We may be looking at anything from a four week to four month closure of the bridge dependent on the level of repairs are needed. It’s not possible to say yet what the extent of repairs are likely to be or the extent of the closure or restrictions.
There will be constant media releases from this evening but I wanted to inform you all in advance of the coming media release.
Discussion group of affected councillors
I would like to open up a group discussion with all Councillors that feel they may be affected by this issue and to try and work together on making sure we, as Councillors, get the right message out to our communities. Your local knowledge of businesses and traffic flow could be very valuable to how we manage this disruption.
We will, of course, continue to keep residents informed of developments via the media.