By Isle of Wight Observer
A row between Independent IW Council leader, Phil Jordan, and Tory group leader, Cllr Ed Blake, has spilled over into public, after claims were made about the controversial Highways PFI contract, and ongoing road maintenance issues.
The dispute stems from Cllr Blake publicly criticising progress on various infrastructure projects. Accusations ranged from unfulfilled safety improvements and inefficient use of funds, to delays due to council inaction. Cllr Blake also claimed a lack of progress on the £2.14 million A3056 between Newport and Sandown safety upgrades, and raised concerns over potholes and road closures in Ventnor.
Cllr Jordan today made a statement to the press strongly refuting the claims, describing them as “misguided, false, and without merit.”
He expressed his disappointment at what he considers political attacks ahead of elections on Thursday, instead of constructive dialogue, and accused Cllr Blake of ignoring information given to him by IW Council officers. He pointed out that the Highways PFI contract, initiated under the Conservative administration led by David Pugh in 2013, has faced numerous disputes and legal challenges over the 12 years since it started, requiring mediation and commercial adjustments. He added that under the previous Conservative-led Council, Jay Jusundara (known as JJ) was recalled to deal with a number of issues. JJ was originally employed to negotiate the contract and his later consultancy to downgrade it and fix numerous issues cost the IW Council over £700,000.
Responding to Cllr Blake’s specific allegations, Cllr Jordan clarified that work on the A3056 safety improvements is well underway, with plans and traffic management schemes being finalised in line with government criteria. He also argued that pothole funds have been correctly allocated, as the Highways PFI contract includes service standards for road maintenance.
On the contentious Vittlefields Cross project, which has seen delays despite safety concerns, Cllr Jordan cited land ownership issues as the primary hold-up. He added that contractors have been engaged and the work is scheduled for completion shortly.
Cllr Jordan also addressed claims about road closures in Ventnor, including Leeson Road, which he attributed to complex legal and geological challenges, and stressed that closures and subsequent works were carried out with public safety as the council’s top priority.
Cllr Jordan concluded his statement by criticising the nature of Cllr Blake’s comments, stating they lack grounding in the full history and technicalities of these disputes. “Cllr Blake has chosen to ignore the progress made and instead launch an ill-informed political-driven attack,” he said.
