By Isle of Wight Observer
Dear Editor,
Once again, road disruption is causing delays over a lot of the Island.
From the amount of ‘road closed’ and ‘diversion signs’, not to mention temporary traffic lights, it gives the impression that both Island Roads and the utilities have a plan to create a new attraction for the Island with the signage: A Maze. To make navigating the maze more challenging, the random placement of temporary traffic lights is employed, quite frequently, on roads that are part of the solution to the maze – as indicated by the signage!
It gives the impression that no-one in either organisation tells each other what their plans are. The latest example I encountered in Cowes. Place Road (one of two major routes out of Cowes) is closed for resurfacing work. The diversion being via Newport Road. I found three way temporary lights at the junction of Newport Road with Mill Hill Road. Result: tailbacks. Compound that with delays at Horsebridge Hill, getting to and from Cowes is frustrating and challenging. Their plan is working!
There may however be light at the end of the tunnel, they may soon exhaust their stockpile of signs and lights, so is their plan flawed?
People understand that the temporary lights are necessary, if there is an emergency, gas/water leak etc, but just to do maintenance ? To rub salt into the situation, you find the lights in place and working, but the contractors, not in place and not working, as you have reported before.
Why don’t the big wigs of the organisation speak to one another and sort it out?
Joe Hulse, Gurnard