By Tilly Walder
It was a full house on Wednesday at Newport’s Stag Inn, as the community gathered to discuss an important issue on many Islanders’ minds right now: the Newport-Cowes road arrangements.
The meeting, chaired by newly-elected Cowes Town Mayor, Cllr Stuart Ellis, Cowes councillor, Alison Carter, and landlord of The Stag, Matthew Westwood, was held to organise a formal response taking the form of a group letter to decision-makers, including the IW Council, Island Roads, and Captiva Housing.
Concerns raised ranged from public safety and the threat to local businesses, to legal processes and access for disabled residents.
Many spoke of a lack of consultation prior to the partial closure of Newport Road, with some describing the process as a “tick-box exercise” where public objections and town council concerns were ignored. One attendee exclaimed: “I can’t believe a ‘democratic council’ can allow something
like this to happen!”
The issue of who the housing development is for also came under scrutiny. While it was initially suggested that the new homes would be prioritised for Islanders, several attendees reported seeing properties advertised on mainland websites, raising fears that local people would be priced out.
Concerns over safety were a recurring theme, with Cllr Carter saying: “I think any reasonable person will agree that this is causing risk to life.” Residents described seeing vehicles with “zero control in speed”, dangerous temporary crossings, and poorly-placed signage creating driving hazards. Several said they had already witnessed accidents and near misses. One carer for a disabled adult explained how her son’s wheelchair could not pass through the designated diversion due to poor surface conditions.
Others warned that the apparent lack of a risk assessment could leave decision-makers personally liable if someone is injured.
Many questioned whether lorries and buses were now using routes not designed for heavy traffic, despite the council’s lifting of Island bridge weight restrictions.
Residents of Pallance Road have urged drivers to be more considerate when driving down the road, saying some had even received abuse for backing into their own driveways.
Despite frustrations, there was strong unity amongst the group, and a commitment to act. It was emphasised that they had to be “realistic in their expectations”, and “the letter should act as a preventative measure for the future”. Residents agreed to send a formal letter listing their concerns and questions, asking for answers within seven days of receipt. If no satisfactory response is received, the group will reconvene to decide next steps.
“There’s more work to be done, but I think this is a good starting place,” Cllr Ellis told the IW Observer. “My feeling is if you put enough pressure on them, if you can bombard them with facts and figures, they can’t argue. That’s the way to make real progress.”
Reflecting on the meeting, Cllr Carter said: “I think it went really well; we’re all in the same boat. I was really keen to get everybody focused on what we were going to do, rather than all just sitting and thinking about it.
“We had a clear objective to hear what questions people wanted asked, so that we could send it as a group, rather than as individuals.
“Obviously we’re all very concerned about the effect on business, but for me, as I said at the beginning, it’s the safety. For me the safety is the biggest concern.”
Isle of Wight Observer