Further to the response from Island Roads to Mayor of Yarmouth, Steve Cowley’s report last week, Steve has responded to some of the points raised. Ed
It seems as though Island Roads (IR) have been galvanised into finding answers they were unable to give at the meeting on Tuesday evening last week.
Only an ‘inconvenience’?
It is appalling that they did not consider the effects on emergency services, local residents and businesses before announcing a seven week closure of the major road into Yarmouth.
They still insist that following a month of delays of 15 + minutes at lights, seven weeks total closure is an ‘inconvenience’ only. Local residents feel they are suffering from a major disturbance to their lives and businesses.
Fundamental lack of planning skills
The extra time for closure should have been predictable by a competent business – they seem to lack fundamental skills in planning and delivering this work, much as with other works that they undertake. Had they not undertaken surveys? Why did they not foresee the risk to residents before they started?
After their work in Wellow they have created a new pond in the road.
Click on image to see larger version
Local GP denied right of access
Only since the meeting have arrangements have been put in place for the practicalities for access by emergency services. The local GP has still been denied any right of access to patients to the east of the town and told he must travel via Freshwater.
In their arrogance IR thought the Harbour Commissioners were responsible for the RNLI.
Bus service
There is still no planned bus service in Bouldnor and Cranmore, although the FYT Bus have offered to provide one at modest cost.
Will IR contribute as they suggested they might? It would now appear that they have offered £10/day to help FYT Bus, not enough I fear.
Local people paying the price for mistakes
As far as the lack of piles, I repeated what we were told at the meeting. A new excuse? Friday and Monday of last week, work was held up by lack of piles. Certainly having to relay drains was a mistake they admit to, but for which local people will pay a time-cost.
If IR had kept us informed, why did so many people at the meeting on Tuesday, claim not to have received the notices?
Residents will monitor works
IR admitted Thorley had been forgotten. Communications failed on many levels. Local people will continue to monitor IR performance and pay the price for IR incompetence.
The lack of a risk assessment for the remote control of Yarmouth bridge opening may be another instance of failure of IR.
Image: Photooptik under CC BY 2.0
