By Isle of Wight Observer
A leading Island transport operator has accused Island Roads of unfair treatment and poor communication, over major road works at Elenors Grove in Fishbourne and Newport Road to Cowes, warning that the arrangements will seriously disrupt schools, tourism, and local businesses.
Josh Harris, director of Wight Coaches – the Island’s largest privately-owned coach operator – sought clarification on how his vehicles will be treated during the latest closures. Despite assurances from council leader, Phil Jordan, and Clancy Group, the contractor carrying out work on behalf of Southern Water, that Island Roads would contact him directly, Mr Harris says he has received no response.
He warned that the diversion routes proposed for Southern Water’s Elenors Grove road works, due to begin at the beginning of February and lasting up to three months, would force school groups to leave much earlier for pre‑booked swimming lessons in Ryde, cutting into curriculum time and creating unnecessary disruption for pupils and staff. Wight Coaches also provides all transport for PGL Little Canada, often completing several tightly timed transfers a day. Longer return journeys to Ryde, Mr Harris says, risk damaging the visitor experience and could influence future bookings. He has also lost bookings due to concerns over the impact of the road works.
Wight Coaches keep their vehicles on Stag Lane so he will also be affected by the Horsebridge Hill roadworks due to start at the end of this month.
However, his strongest criticism centres on what he describes as inconsistent treatment between operators. Public statements about the Newport Road closure confirmed that Southern
Vectis buses and school services, emergency services and winter road maintenance vehicles would be exempt from restrictions and allowed through manually controlled lights. However, Southern Vectis, like Wight Coaches, also undertakes private hire school transport identical to the services Wight Coaches provides – yet only one operator is being granted such access.
Mr Harris said that during last year’s road works at Horsebridge Hill it was “disappointing to see Southern Vectis vehicles travelling through the manually controlled lights while undertaking private hire work, while our coaches were forced onto unsuitable diversion routes.” He added that it left his company facing higher fuel costs, driver‑hours pressures, vehicle damage, and safety concerns.
He has proposed a simple compromise: allowing his coaches to wait at the nearest bus stop and follow the next Southern Vectis bus through the lights, avoiding extra traffic-light changes and preventing unnecessary disruption.
Cllr Jordan said: “Although I am no longer directly involved in transport matters I am disappointed that further exceptions could not be made to allow this important service to operate more efficiently during the road closure period.
“I have been in touch with the owner and with our MP and have made representations to the Highway team asking for help and assistance in this matter. I will continue to press for better outcomes where and when that is possible.”
Mr Harris explained he is simply asking for “a level playing field” and a response that recognises the essential role coach operators play in the Island’s transport network. Until Island Roads confirms whether his proposal will be adopted, he says schools, businesses, and visitors remain “caught in the middle of decisions that should be fair, transparent, and consistent.”
Island Roads has been approached for a comment.
Mal Butler