Another three months of road works

It’s set to be like the scene of a sequel to a horror film: ‘The Nightmare of Horsebridge Hill, Part 2’, coming to your streets soon.

Businesses and residents are preparing for another three months of road works, as the main road, between Cowes and Newport, is to turn one-way from the end of this month, bringing nearly three months of traffic disruption.

Southern Water is carrying out major works on the road, as part of a £5 million pipe replacement project. The company says the upgrades will reduce emergency works and interruptions to water supply, as well as helping to cut leakage.

However, following similar works last year, the road will be one-way, meaning closures, lengthy diversions, and speed restrictions.

To the owners of Stag Lane Motors, brother and sister, Alan Stay and Janet Grist, it will have a devastating effect on their business.

The couple have run the business for 62 years and it provides a wide range of services from vehicle testing and servicing to HGV roadside recovery.

Alan said: “Yes, it is a nightmare; it makes you want to give up. The people who make these decisions don’t seem to care about the effect they have on businesses like ours; they don’t live in the real world.

“All the traffic is going to be sent back down Forest Road, into Whitehouse Road and onto Cowes. Anyone driving an HGV for an MOT will be going miles out of their way as a detour.

“Whitehouse Road is too narrow for these vehicles and is just an accident waiting to happen. The way things are going, we may as well pack in the business and stay at home.”

Janet added: “There will be a dramatic loss of income for us; you can’t send people home because of road works; employees still want to be paid. I know it needs doing, but the way it’s being organised is rubbish.”

Alan also made the point: “Buses will still be allowed to have access along the road, so why can’t HGV’s go through as well? They’re also not working at weekends when it’s quieter or at night. We face another three months of misery.”

The one-way system starts on Sunday, January 25 at 9pm until Friday, April 17, at 6pm, or when the works have been completed.

The works last year were a contributory factor in the Stag Inn pub closing. Speaking in May, during the last roadworks, publican Matthew Westwood said it lost more than £1,500 in just one week due to the “horrendous” handling of road works at Horsebridge Hill, and the subsequent lengthy diversions for Cowes-bound traffic from Newport.

He would close early after not seeing a single customer during the day, and, speaking about his evening trade, he said: “There is no point in firing up my kitchen to burn gas just for nobody to come in; the impact of these roadworks has been horrendous.”

A Southern Water spokesman said: “We understand that road works are never welcome, but these upgrades are urgently needed. Many of the pipes due to be replaced are more than 100 years old and no longer fit for purpose. Our £5million investment across the Island will reduce bursts, meaning fewer emergency repairs and less inconvenience to residents, as well as cutting leaks.

“We’ve worked closely with Island Roads to minimise disruption and ensure we can complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will continue to keep customers and stakeholders updated, and are grateful for their support and patience as we work to future-proof the Island’s mains.”

Access to Ryde from most of the Island is set to be problematic for months. Binstead Road is closed until January 30 for major improvement works. Then, from February 2 to April 10, Elenors Grove, at Wootton Bridge, will close in the Fishbourne to Ryde direction to allow Southern Water to replace water mains.

On Horsebridge Hill there are also works by Southern Water scheduled, starting on January 26 there will be a one-way traffic management system in place from Cowes to Newport until April 17.