"Disappointing To Say The Least" - Local Councillor On Horsebridge Hill Closures

It is “disappointing to say the least” that the need for a full closure of Horsebridge Hill was not publicised at an earlier stage, an Isle of Wight councillor has said.

Parkhurst and Hunnyhill representative Cllr Andrew Garratt said that with “Southern Water planning works on both Horsebridge Hill and Forest Road”, a “lot of lessons need to be learned”.

The comments from County Hall’s deputy leader come after an announcement that Horsebridge Hill will be closed in both directions between 8pm on June 27 and 6am on June 30, to facilitate foul sewer connections and road surfacing.

A second closure will also take place between 8pm on July 4 and 6am on July 7.

The Newport to Cowes Road has already been closed in one direction since May 12, with traffic only able to head towards Newport – a result of junction improvement works related to the Island’s largest affordable housing development in a decade at Acorn Farm, off Horsebridge Hill.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said:

“It is, of course, disappointing to say the least that the need for full closure wasn’t publicised at the same time as other information about the one-way closure and diversion.

“With Southern Water planning works on both Horsebridge Hill and Forest Road, a lot of lessons need to be learned.

“Installing the sewer seems to have no option but to close the road completely, though it’s not clear why resurfacing needs a full closure and cannot be done in two parts with either the diversion and one-way flow, or even two-way flow under lights.

“Alternatively, perhaps overnight full closure could have been used with daytime re-opening.”

Cllr Garratt raised several residents’ concerns around the latest planned closures, including “worries about emergency services access”, implications for bus services, a “continued” loss of business and pedestrian access.

In a statement issued this week, the developer behind the Acorn Farm estate, Captiva Homes, said:

“We recognise the roadworks on Horsebridge Hill are continuing to cause disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses, for which we apologise.

“We continue to work with Island Roads, the council and other stakeholders to ensure this is minimised as much as possible. 

"We are pleased to report that the works are being delivered in line with the agreed schedule and remain on track to be completed during the week commencing July 4.

“This will facilitate the first Island families moving into their new homes this summer.

“During the two weekend closures, the current diversion route will operate for north and south bound traffic.”