By Tilly Walder
Motorists across the Island have faced a week of frustration, with the closure of Fairlee Road in Newport causing long queues, extended journey times and a flood of complaints online, along with other closures across the Island.
Fairlee Road shut as a through route on Monday, April 20, and will remain closed until Friday, May 1, for deep water and sewerage connection works. Traffic from East Cowes, Wootton and Ryde has been diverted via Staplers Road, while Southern Vectis warned that bus routes serving Newport are also affected.
Drivers have reported severe delays around Staplers Road, Coppins Bridge, Snooks Hill and other routes. One motorist said it took 90 minutes to travel from St Mary’s Hospital to Godshill; another reported nearly two hours from East Cowes to Newport.
Island Roads said the timing was chosen between Easter and the summer season to reduce disruption, but for many Islanders trying to reach work, appointments and schools, the week has been marked by traffic chaos – with delays expected to continue at least until the Fairlee Road closure ends.
Carole Dennett 
Mal Butler