By Isle of Wight Observer
Having lived on the Island my entire life I understand and accept the limitations imposed by its natural wonder. One of these is the constant work required to maintain our roads. I know this is unavoidable given the geological makeup and we make allowances. But when roads are closed without any consultation or thought to the public it illustrates the apathy of those ‘running’ services and those making money from developing.
On Horsebridge Hill, the Captiva development called Three Oaks, apt considering the destruction of a green field, has started work on its access road – or has it? Perhaps it’s Island Roads, Crown Estates or maybe the IW Council that has given its blessing. Ask any of them and their shoulders will have more incline than the hill itself.
The diversions for the project were installed on Sunday, May 11, much to the bemusement of residents who had only been informed 10 days earlier. Giving new meaning to the word consulting – perhaps it’s shorthand – conning and insulting at the same time. But the real kicker is the planned diversion route, which beggars belief.
Once you have navigated the carnage at the top of the dual carriageway, drive up the Forest Road, turn right at the notorious accident blackspot. Then carry on until you hit the blind junction at Whitehouse Cross, increase speed down Rolls Hill until you get to the gridlock at Pallance Road, not even Rew Street can offer you an alternative – it’s CLOSED! In fairness to the residents of Pallance Road they have battled for years trying to slow down the traffic and their inclination to keep their cars parked on the road is hardly surprising.
I set up my own Facebook protest group to gauge public opinion, you can see the results to your right.
I have been involved in protest groups before. I played a small part in defeating the IW Council on the mad drone port idea at Mornington Road in Cowes. People need to be held to account – as one member of the protest group quipped, the French would not stand for it!
But seriously, this epic cock up has real time implications on our local community; furious residents and businesses have been vocal in their outrage. Condemning the scheme as “disgusting”, “astonishing” and “dangerous”, whilst labelling the perpetrators (whoever they turn out to be) as “unbelievably incompetent”.
Day One saw the first vehicle collisions and reports of one-hour journey times on the 6-mile diversion route. The residents of Rolls Hill attempted to slow down traffic with home-made signs as it hurtled passed their front doors, whilst The Isle of Wight Military Museum has even questioned its ability to keep all its staff employed during the two-month works.
But the thing that makes people most upset, as was demonstrated during the drone port saga, is the total lack of information. The arrogance of organisations that make unilateral decisions without due consultation, ignoring the implications on the wider public.
Is there a solution? Frankly this should have been discussed and implemented before a single brick was laid. I understand that plans were passed for the new access road in October 2024. Why, oh why was the road not built first in the quieter months? Why were local businesses and residents not consulted? Why is it going to take two months? We want answers, transparency, and accountability.
Businesses in the Stag Lane area should be compensated for the loss of business and residents affected should be able to access free bus services to and from Cowes.
When I was a nipper the Island’s population was around 120,000. Now with an estimate of 160,000 the infrastructure has not kept pace with demand. How many more cars can our roads cope with? How much more chaos can the residents of the Island endure, and how many businesses will survive?