By Isle of Wight Observer
Binstead and Fishbourne councillor Ian Dore says the sudden closure of Firestone Copse Road has caused “significant and unnecessary disruption” for residents, and is calling for an immediate review of the decision and the introduction of a managed one‑way system as an alternative.
Cllr Dore said he had been “inundated” with messages from residents across Binstead, Fishbourne and beyond, describing the closure as a major blow to daily life, affecting work commutes, school runs, caring responsibilities and access to relatives. He said people were “not being dramatic, they’re being practical”.
He criticised the lack of consultation and said he had asked Island Roads to provide the evidence behind the decision. “When you close a route that functions like an artery for multiple communities, residents deserve transparency and a plan, not silence,” he said. He added that he had walked the route in different conditions, alongside parish councillor Chris Jenkins, to assess the situation first‑hand.
Cllr Dore warned that the closure was compounding existing disruption from other works, including the Elenors Grove closure, which he said had already contributed to a drop in trade for Ryde businesses and had “seriously hit” Quarr Abbey. He argued that a full closure was disproportionate and that safety could be maintained through a one‑way system, speed reduction measures and enforceable weight or width restrictions.
In response, a spokesman for Island Roads said its priority was to maintain a safe network and that some roads had become unsafe due to increased traffic using unsuitable routes during diversions. As well as Firestone Copse Road, The Mall at Brading with the New Road works and Betty Haunt Lane during the Horsebridge Hill works had been closed as they were not suitable for the volume of traffic using them. The spokesman said they would keep the situation under review and thanked road users for their understanding.