Busy Sandown and Ryde roads to be improved

Busy roads in Ryde and Sandown are to be upgraded by Island Roads shortly.

The projects in Fitzroy Street, Sandown and Star Street and Park Road in Ryde will see elements of the carriageway reconstructed as well as resurfaced. The reconstruction work is designed to address the problems of weak foundations which have historically caused deterioration of the road surfaces.

The work therefore will have both immediate and long-term benefits for residents and all road users on completion.

However, undertaking reconstruction work means projects take longer to complete and require total road closures given the depths of excavation. Residents in these roads have been written to explaining more about the works and how they will be affected. Information boards will also be displayed at the locations prior to work while businesses affected have been visited in person.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works which have been scheduled for a period outside of the main summer season but at a time when favourable weather conditions can reasonably be expected. There will be no work at weekends but the road will remain closed apart from the bank holiday weekends.

Keith Gourlay, Island Roads construction manager said: “Residents will be well aware that these roads are in need of an upgrade. However, it is impossible to undertake projects of this scale and nature without some localised disruption and we hope that residents feel the short-term inconvenience will be outweighed by the long-term benefits of this upgrade.

“We would like to thank them in advance for their understanding and co-operation.”

Fitzroy Street, between Melville Street and Station Avenue, will be resurfaced during two day shifts from May 17 May 2019. The excavation and reconstruction works will be undertaken from Monday 8th April 2019 for approximately 25 day shifts (Mon to Fri only).

At Park Road and Star Street, Ryde, the reconstruction work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday March 19 for approximately 13 day shifts (Mon to Fri only) followed by resurfacing works from Monday April 8 for 4 days.

The scheme is part of the Island’s Highway Improvement Programme which is financed in the main through a grant of £477 million awarded by the Department for Transport.