Lake businesses lose out due to temporary traffic lights

An ongoing issue with temporary traffic lights, at the junction of Lake High Street and Newport Road, is “causing delays and affecting businesses in and around the surrounding area”.

The lights have been out of action since a van crashed into the set of lights on Newport Road at the end of January.

But it’s unlikely they will be working again for at least another couple of weeks, and Lake South councillor, Paul Brading, said: “When it first happened, I spoke to Island Roads and they told me they would be fixed before the end of March. Two pedestrian lights were also out of action, but these have now been repaired.

“But the temporary lights are causing a build-up of traffic because they stay on red far too long when you are travelling from Sandown to Shanklin. The queue going the other way is a lot shorter.

“The situation hasn’t been helped because Alfred Road, which was used as a rat run to avoid the lights, is being resurfaced.

“Businesses are losing out as people are not coming through Lake while Sandown and Shanklin shops are also affected. People are going over the Downs to avoid the area.”

Cllr Ian Ward, who represents Sandown South, added: “On Saturday, when returning from Newport, I observed a tailback stretching from the junction all the way back to Leeds Street in Sandown.”

An Island Roads spokesman said: “Two traffic signal poles at this junction were severely damaged in a reported hit‑and‑run incident at the end of January, which is currently under police investigation.

“Due to both above‑ground and underground damage, it was not possible to operate the junction safely with a single signal, so temporary lights were installed while specialist repairs are arranged.

“We recognise this is a busy junction and are working with our supplier to complete the repairs as quickly as possible. Specialist parts have been ordered, and we hope the repairs can be made in the first half of next month, or before if the required parts and resources become available sooner. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

A spokesman added later: “Our district steward has attended the site, and reported that he has driven through these several times and they are all working as they should be.”