Island Roads Responds After Councillors Raise Concerns Over Road Closure Governance

Island Roads says its priority will always be maintaining a safe highway network after councillors raised concerns about how road closures are managed across the Isle of Wight.

The highways contractor says it welcomes discussions on how it can continue working with the Isle of Wight Council to achieve that goal, ahead of a council update on roadworks due tomorrow (Wednesday).

The response follows a motion which said residents and businesses were not getting the "confidence, clarity or accountability" they deserved from the Island's current highways arrangements.

The motion, which was approved by councillors last week, highlighted the recent closure of Firestone Copse Road, raising concerns over the evidence behind the decision, communication with the public, monitoring and the overall governance of road closures carried out through the Island Roads Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and the council's highways department.

Councillors agreed the matter should be treated as urgent and referred to the appropriate committee for further consideration.

The motion also calls on the council to consider commissioning an independent review of the Highways PFI, including how the council's highways department works alongside the contract.

Recommendations are expected to be discussed in September before the issue returns to full council by November.

Meanwhile, in the South Wight, the Ventnor Roads Group has been formed following concerns from the Ventnor Traders' Association over the impact of frequent roadworks by Island Roads and utility companies on local businesses and visitors.