Partnership Launched To Encourage Respect For Highway Workers On Isle Of Wight

A new partnership encouraging the public to respect highway workers has been launched on the Isle of Wight.

The Island Roads Safety Group (IRSG), made up of Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Island Roads, will work together to promote safer behaviour around roadworks.

The group will also remind motorists about the importance of following temporary traffic management so essential work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

The partnership was launched at Horsebridge Hill — the site of current major works — and a location where police took action against drivers who ignored traffic management measures during a separate project last year.

The group says most road users do respect traffic management and road workers, pointing to the way the Wroxall community supported recent works there.

However, it says a minority of motorists continue to ignore restrictions, putting themselves and others at risk.

Steve Ashman, Service Director at Island Roads, said the support shown in Wroxall had been greatly appreciated.

However, he added that staff are sometimes subjected to abuse while working on site.

Mr Ashman said this behaviour is unacceptable and would not be tolerated, adding that workers are carrying out improvements to the Island’s road network and helping to keep people safe.

He acknowledged that there is currently a significant amount of roadwork activity across the Island, and that temporary traffic lights and diversions can cause frustration, but said it is never acceptable to take that frustration out on staff who are simply doing their job.

The IRSG will now look at further ways to reduce antisocial behaviour towards highway workers and raise awareness that temporary traffic management is legally enforceable and designed to protect both road users and staff.

Last summer, a police enforcement operation at Horsebridge Hill during private developer works resulted in action being taken against 184 motorists.

Similar enforcement campaigns could be carried out in other areas if needed.

Island Roads also deploys mobile CCTV at sites where there have been issues, and staff may use body-worn cameras when necessary.

Michelle Love, Isle of Wight Council’s Service Director for Highways and Community Protection, said enforcement is not something authorities want to rely on, but stressed that road users must respect highway workers and not put their own safety — or anyone else’s — at risk.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said she had been shocked by the level of abuse faced by Island Roads staff and said people should be able to do their jobs without harassment.

Chief Inspector Andy McDonald added that nobody should feel unsafe while carrying out their work, and said police would continue working closely with partners to address behaviour that threatens the safety of workers and other road users.

A photo released with the announcement shows Steve Ashman with Michelle Love and PCs Burdon and Balmer from the Isle of Wight District Policing Team.