By Carole Dennett
Two roads that have been dug up and inconvenienced residents for almost 12 weeks are to be reinstated after a Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SuDS) has been abruptly abandoned.
In response to repeated questions from the IW Observer, Southern Water and the Isle of Wight Council issued a joint statement confirming the decision to terminate the scheme, citing unresolved issues over maintenance costs as the reason for the decision. The affected areas, Woodvale Road and Solent View Road, where work had already begun, will now be reinstated to their original state. Southern Water apologised for the disruption caused by the project, which was designed to manage surface water and protecting rivers and seas around the Island.
Keith Herbert, engineering lead for Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, said he was disappointed at the scheme’s cancellation. He highlighted Southern Water’s significant investment on the Island, exceeding £8 million, and their success in reducing storm overflows by more than 500 releases to date. However, he acknowledged that lengthy discussions with the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads failed to result in an acceptable agreement on maintenance costs.
Mr Herbert apologised to residents and local businesses for any inconvenience caused and promised to explore more sustainable and cost-effective projects in the future.
But some people are far from happy with the way the situation has been handled. Paul Fuller, the councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard, 
has sharply criticised over the mismanagement of the scheme. He refused to be associated with the official joint statement, saying it is “bland, corporate, and insensitive,” and described the project as “embarrassing” and a “shambolic supermassive cock-up from day one.”
Cllr Fuller added that assurances made at a local engagement event in December last year were not fulfilled. “We were told that ongoing maintenance costs had been signed off and that road closures would be kept to a minimum,” said Cllr Fuller. “Southern Water also promised to ‘up their game’ when it came to communication with residents, businesses, and the Parish Council, but none of this happened.”
The councillor revealed how he had requested weekly updates to address growing concerns among residents and shopkeepers, only to be met with a lack of cooperation. “Had the scheme been properly project managed from the outset, this would have massively helped. But again, this failed to happen,” he added.
He also criticised the failure to convene a roundtable meeting with relevant agencies to resolve the project’s issues. “SuDS schemes work successfully across the country in managing surface water, and the question remains unanswered as to why this could not be replicated here.”
Mr Fuller has also raised concerns about the reputational damage for all parties the failed scheme could cause for similar initiatives in the future. He also posed serious questions about the impact this decision has on bathing water quality in Gurnard, as connections now have to be made to direct surface water back into the sewage network following the scheme’s cancellation.
Residents are also expressing dismay over the disruption and lack of clarity surrounding the project.
