Red Funnel Passengers 'Feeling The Impact' Of 'Joke' East Cowes Road Works

Red Funnel passengers are "feeling the impact" of chaotic roadworks in East Cowes - that have been going on since March.

East Cowes residents have had their cars towed, parking spaces removed, been ticketed and stuck in traffic over the last two days.

Now, Red Funnel customers are being advised NOT to arrive too early for their crossings because of potential congestion.

Earlier today (Friday) bus routes were avoiding the town and some routes were "subject to delays" after gridlocked traffic caused a pile-up.

Route 1
The road has been closed at Towngate (Cowes bound) due to a lorry blocking the road.
Unfortunately we will not be able to serve the stop at Halfords (Cowes Bound) due to this. <S.J>

— Southern Vectis (@SouthernVectis) May 21, 2021

As previously reported, the roadworks in East Cowes have been branded 'an absolute joke' by residents, some of which are calling for 20mph speed limits because their houses are shaking due to the sheer volume of vehicles.

Cllr Karl Love, who represents the ward, told Isle of Wight Radio:

"Shopkeepers report to me they are hundreds of pounds down and it’s a Friday which is a busy day!

"Island Roads have had a lot of abuse whilst working and it isn't really their fault. The workers are taking an awful lot of aggravation of use there is no need for it it’s not their fault it’s a mixture of high winds and the complex Highway rebuild.

"They have also had to switch the traffic lights off because that was causing mayhem.

"I want to give a shout out to the workers who are doing the best we’ve got cars driving on path’s and all sorts."

He has written to John Metcalfe, the Isle of Wight Council CEO about the situation.

Because of a week delay, Island Roads is starting the final phase of the works, to resurface the main route in and out of the town, at the same time as phase three is underway.

A spokesperson for Red Funnel said: 

“Our operation and our customers are feeling the impact of the ongoing East Cowes road works being carried out by Island Roads. We are continuing to advise customers not to arrive too early for their crossings in an effort to avoid congestion.

"Concurrently, we also advise that customers factor in the roadworks when planning for travel, allowing sufficient time to get to the terminal or get to their end destination if arriving to the Island.”

Cones were put in place on Tuesday, the night before works started - causing confusion for residents as the junction of Adelaide Grove and York Avenue was shut to traffic. 

But Island Roads says it has been closed “In order to create more parking” and it means the previous restrictions can be lifted in Adelaide Grove between its junction with Yarborough Road and York Avenue.

The highway network says the works will be finished "as soon as possible".

Watch a video of the chaos earlier today below.

*UPDATED 4.26pm

Our crews are manually operating the traffic lights in the heart of East Cowes in order to keep things moving in what are extremely windy conditions that have affected ferry travel. We’ll remain on site until traffic volumes return to normal.

— Island Roads (@IslandRoads) May 21, 2021