By Isle of Wight Observer
Landowners are being reminded of two Island Roads campaigns that aim to keep the road network safe during the coming winter months.
Ditch it! gives advice on what landowners should do to help prevent highway flooding while Inspect and Protect gives information on the safe management of trees on private land which could affect the highway. Both campaigns have the backing of the Country Landowners’ Association and the NFU.
Steve Ashman, Island Roads service director, said: “While we are once again stepping up our highway maintenance activity, we are also reminding the public of what they can and should do to help keep the network safe.
“For example, landowners do have responsibilities to ensure watercourses on their land are well maintained to try to avoid highway flooding. Similarly, trees on private land should be well managed to, as far as possible, reduce the risk of trees or branches falling onto the road network.”
You can find out more on the Ditch It! And Inspect and Protect campaigns at www.islandroads.com
Steve said: “We are always keen to work with landowners to help them understand their responsibilities and if anyone has any questions they can contact us by email on info@islandroads.com or by calling (01983) 822440.”
Island Roads is keen to raise awareness of highway issues as it gears up its own operations for the winter months. Last weekend the company held its annual ‘autumn parade’ when winter maintenance staff familiarised themselves with this year’s gritting routes.
In addition, Island Roads has hired in two additional vehicles to boost efforts to clear leaves from the network. Not only can an accumulation of fallen leaves make the highway surface slippery, they can also clog drains and gullies.
Island Roads has also begun the enhanced winter gulley cleansing regime. Between now and March this additional gulley cleansing, targeting areas of the network most prone to flooding, will help reduce the risk of water accumulating on the highway during wet winter weather.
