Island Roads And Southern Water Sorry For 'Unforeseeable Events' In East Cowes

Island Roads and Southern Water have apologised for the continued chaos in East Cowes which started yesterday and has continued into today (Friday).

A Southern Water leak meant Clarence Road had to be shut yesterday (Thursday), as first reported by Isle of Wight Radio.

Today traffic is being forced to go down Old Road, which is deadlocked because of ferry cancellations on Red Funnel.

Residents have said their houses have been shaking with the volume of vehicles using residential roads that have been diverted because of work on York Avenue - which has been going on since March.

Local businesses have told Isle of Wight Radio they have been massively impacted by the works and have described them as a 'shambles'.

Businesses in the town have closed today as there is "no point opening".

Jayne Read from East Cowes Emporium said:

'Not to mention since this work began in March our shops actually in the town have been massively impacted it's a total disgrace island roads and council should be offering compensation for the amount of money we have lost and the massive inconvenience to all in the town.'

Southern Water and Island Roads have now apologised to Islanders affected.

A spokesperson for Southern Water has told Isle of Wight Radio:

“We are sorry for the disruption caused by temporary traffic management in Clarence Road, which was put in place yesterday as we worked on a burst pipe that feeds a property.

"This repair was completed yesterday, however, the reinstatement of the road by our contractors had to wait until delivery of tarmac - which is due today around lunchtime. We wish to assure everyone that work to reinstate the road as soon as possible is the priority.”

Resurfacing work is currently scheduled for the next five nights on York Avene - but could be delayed if it rains.

A spokesperson for Island Roads has told Isle of Wight Radio:

'We have been working with Red Funnel and Southern Water to address issues that have been causing congestion and other traffic-related issues in East Cowes.

'It is clearly unfortunate that a burst water main in Clarence Road and then disruptions to ferry services have coincided with our work to improve sections of York Avenue, the final phase (the resurfacing) of which began last night.

'We can confirm that the burst water main in Clarence Road, has been fixed by Southern Water who are currently re-instating the excavation and repairing minor damage to the carriageway caused by the leak. We are told that work will be finished by mid to late afternoon at which time the previous traffic diversion will again come into force.

'We have also been in regular contact with Red Funnel. They are working hard to help marshal ferry traffic, advise customers of rescheduled sailings and to resolve the issues that have seen a ship temporarily removed from service.

'As regards the York Avenue improvement work, we have completed the reconstruction phase and last night, despite the poor weather, began the resurfacing phase. We will continue this work tonight and will make every effort to complete the scheme on schedule. However, the physical laying of the new surface does require favourable conditions so we are, in this respect, at the mercy of the weather. We will of course keep residents informed of progress.

'We do appreciate this work has caused local disruption, particularly so due to the unforeseeable events of the past 24 hours. We would, again, like to apologise for any inconvenience and are sincerely grateful to the local community for its support and understanding. We would also like to thank Red Funnel and Southern Water for their co-operation.'