Islanders "Deserve Transparency" Over Traffic Chaos Says Parish Council Chair

The chair of an Isle of Wight parish council has demanded answers following reports of significant delays and “absolute carnage” on a diversion route this morning (Monday).

Northwood Parish Council’s (NPC) Cllr Steph Burgess Flux said residents “deserve some transparency” over who is responsible for ensuing “traffic chaos”, after a one-way system between Newport and Cowes took effect today.

Due to junction improvement works, Horsebridge Hill is now one-way until July 4.

The roadworks form part of the construction of the Island’s largest affordable housing development in a decade: Captiva Homes and Sovereign Network Group are building 131 houses and 72 flats on a greenfield site at Acorn Farm.

Traffic is being diverted via Forest Road, Whitehouse Road, Rolls Hill and Pallance Road.

There have been reports of significant delays, “absolute carnage” on the diversion, “bumper to bumper” traffic on Forest Road and a standstill on Pallance Road.

Cllr Flux said:

“I think the general public deserve some transparency over whose fault this chaos is.

“The Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads seem to be blaming each other. In the meantime, the lack of consultation and rushing through a ‘plan’ has led to misery for many.

“NPC’s main concern was safety of residents on Pallance Road.

“Why wasn’t there any consultation and what is going to be done to try to ease the situation and allay residents and road users’ concerns?”

Following a meeting last Tuesday, NPC sent an email with “concerns, questions and suggestions” to council leader Phil Jordan.

Eight suggestions given included a ‘one-way system uphill on Pallance Road’, a 20mph speed restriction along the length of Pallance Road, temporary speed bumps and police enforcement.

Emailing back, Cllr Jordan said:

“I have asked for relevant stakeholders to provide answers to these questions, along with others I and other councillors have posed.

“The works on Horsebridge Hill are third party works, not council works, and the Traffic Management Plan is approved and implemented by Island Roads.

“The council has not been directly involved in the roadworks which are contracted out to a third-party contractor via the developer of the site.

“Other councillors and I have continued to ask for changes to the Traffic Management Plan, some of which have been adopted, and others under consideration.

“I have not been involved in the traffic plans nor any of the works plan until a single meeting just over 10 days ago.”

Cllr Jordan added that along with councillors, he had asked the council to ‘assist with getting information out’.

County Hall has been approached for comment.