Island faces weeks of disruption as major road closures hit Newport and beyond

For residents and business owners across the Isle of Wight, simply getting from A to B is becoming increasingly difficult. After the long and painful closure of two main arterial routes, a new wave of diversions and roadworks is coming.

Fairlee Road: two‑week shut down

On Monday, April 20, Fairlee Road – a key link between Newport and East Cowes/Ryde – will close completely until Friday, May 1. The shut down is required for deep water and sewerage connection works, involving trench excavations up to six metres.

Island Roads says it is using the opportunity to “piggyback” additional works to avoid returning later in the year. The IW Council will also carry out tree works at Seaclose Park, while discussions are taking place to see whether the access works to the new Football Club site can be completed at the same time.

A spokesman said there is “never a good time” to work on Fairlee Road, but the timing was chosen to reduce the impact as far as possible.

Newport diversions and one‑way systems

Newport will also face major disruption from Sunday, April 26, when a temporary one‑way system is introduced around St George’s Way for sewer installation linked to a new retail park.

Until Friday, May 15, St George’s Way will run one‑way north to south, while Medina Avenue will run one‑way in the opposite direction. St George’s Approach will also become one‑way. Traffic heading into Newport will be diverted via Shide Road and Medina Avenue, with temporary “No Waiting” cones on the western side of Medina Avenue.

Briddlesford Road: the relief route needs repairs

While Fairlee Road prepares for a total blackout, Briddlesford Road, which for the past 18 months has absorbed displaced traffic from Elenors Grove, Binstead and the A3054 during roadworks, is due for major repairs itself.

Next month, Island Roads will begin essential carriageway repairs from Whiterails Road roundabout to Blacklands Lane. The work will take place during daytime hours, between 9.30am and 3.30pm, and is expected to finish before May 22. The road will remain open outside these hours, and access to Briddlesford Farm will be maintained, but the timing has caused concern among those who rely on the route to avoid Newport’s congestion.

And that’s not all…

The disruption does not end there. Parkhurst Road, in Newport, is due for resurfacing from April 28, requiring three night‑time shifts. In the west and east Wight, Heathfield Road, in Freshwater, and Howgate Road, in Bembridge, will both see daytime closures from 7.30am to 5pm. Sandown Road, in Arreton, is currently shut overnight for maintenance, while Military Road, in Brighstone, continues to experience delays due to ongoing footway works. Each scheme adds another layer of difficulty to an already stretched network, making reliable journey planning increasingly challenging.

Businesses say they are being ignored

Frustration is growing among local businesses. Despite Island Roads’ assurances of co-ordination, many owners say they have been neither consulted nor properly informed about the impact closures will have on trade. Businesses in Wootton and Binstead – areas hit particularly hard by recent closures – have expressed anger over a lack of engagement.

One businessman said it feels as though the business community is “an afterthought”, adding that once a closure is announced, customers “simply give up and go elsewhere”.