Temporary Parking Restrictions Introduced On Afton Road In Freshwater

Temporary no waiting restrictions have been introduced on one side of Afton Road in Freshwater in a bid to keep traffic flowing and ensure emergency vehicles can get through during the busy summer period.

The measures, brought in by the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads, came into force on Tuesday (July 28) and will remain in place until early September.

The move follows repeated problems with vehicles parking on both sides of Afton Road as it approaches Freshwater Bay, particularly during the summer holidays when the area sees an influx of visitors.

Freshwater South councillor Becca Cameron had previously raised concerns that fire engines and other emergency vehicles could struggle to get through if cars continued to park on both sides of the road.

Speaking on Sunday (July 26), she said:

"We have already had one fire locally, and the Downs are currently very dry and vulnerable.

"I do not want to cause unnecessary alarm, but keeping a clear route could make a critical difference in an emergency."

Councillor Cameron said she had contacted highways officers to request temporary cones or parking restrictions.

An Island Roads spokesperson said:

"Those local to the Freshwater Bay area will recognise that there have been repeated issues with cars parking on either side of Afton Road on its approach to and from Freshwater Bay, especially during the holiday period when people visit the Bay area to enjoy the sea and the surrounding downland areas.

"As we are now in the key summer holiday period, Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads are taking some temporary steps to secure the free flow of vehicles through this busy area, which is a bus route and also a key link for emergency service vehicles.

"This will involve placing a no waiting restriction using cones on one side of Afton Road – the west side, or northbound side, as you drive away from Freshwater Bay.

"These restrictions will be in place from today until early September and will be enforced by the Isle of Wight Council."

Island Roads says the temporary restrictions will provide valuable feedback while it considers introducing an experimental parking restriction in the area, with the aim of developing a longer-term traffic management solution.

Councillor Cameron has welcomed the move, thanking both Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council for "listening and acting".