Island Roads have provided the following answer to questions about current (October 2021) traffic problems in Ryde Appley and Elmfield Ward:
With regards to the traffic management for the Smallbrook junction scheme, this is detailed in the attached stakeholder letter. The letter was delivered last Thursday to properties within the red boundary area (depicted in the attached map) as agreed with the IWC.
Island Roads has included a plethora of information such as stakeholder letters, Q&As, traffic management information on the Smallbrook junction scheme which can be found on our website: Island Roads | Smallbrook Junction Improvements
Legal road closure Notices are sent to IWCP each week which are then advertised in the local media. These Notices are emailed to Ward Members, Town & Parish Clerks and other stakeholders each week. I have attached the latest Notices which include details of road closures for the Smallbrook Junction, and Great Preston Road utility works. These were sent out to stakeholders last week and are currently advertised in the media.
Advance Warning Signs (yellow boards) are on site for the Smallbrook junction and will be updated throughout the scheme.
Island Roads’ weekly programme of works can be found on our website here: Island Roads | Current works.
The following link, which can also be found on our website, shows all current LIVE roadworks and upcoming scheduled works across the Island: Island Roads | Roadworks Live. This includes all works that impact the highways network, including information about utility works.
With regards to Great Preston Road, it is Island Roads’ intention to carry out reconstruction works between Harding Road and Alexandra Road (localised areas). This is currently scheduled for commencement on 18th October with a duration of approximately two weeks. There will be a phased road closure in place during these works for safety reasons. We are in the final stages of agreeing the traffic management and communications plans for this scheme, and this information will be in the residents’ notification letters due to be delivered to properties in the immediately affected area. At this stage, we anticipate the extent of the closure will be Great Preston Road / Alexandra Road, Ryde – between Carlton Road and St Johns Hill, commencing from the Harding Road end, with traffic management in place at all times during the works. In the main, there will be one phase as they work down the road. This information may be subject to change at this stage, but full details will be in the residents’ letter currently being drafted.
With regards to Wight Fibre’s works, Island Roads are not responsible for communicating details of third party works to local residents; this is down to the third party. Island Roads are responsible for ensuring the network flows as smoothly as possible. As you are aware, WF are rolling out an extensive programme of works across the Island; as a result of which, there are inevitably closures and diversions in place which impact on road users. Island Roads distribute the weekly legal Traffic Orders to the local media for wider advertisement. The following, in relation to Great Preston Road (GPR), is in the attached Notice currently advertised in the IWCP and local media (as per the attached Notices):-
“The Isle of Wight Council (Great Preston Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight) (Temporary One-Way Restriction) Order No 1 2021
Island Roads on behalf of The Isle of Wight Council give notice that from 0001 hours from Tuesday 05 October 2021 until 2359 hours on Tuesday 26 October 2021, or when the works has been completed, a one way restriction will be introduced in a east to west direction along Great Preston Road between its junctions with Marlborough Road and Harding Road. The alternative route will be sign posted locally. The restriction is required for safety during utility works.”
In relation to Southern Vectis, the Smallbrook scheme doesn’t directly affect the Route 2 bus service; however, the Wightfibre works in GPR which are under a one-way diversion will do. The buses can still go into Ryde during these works, but they will divert in the other direction (possibly via Marlborough Road). Island Roads and SV meet on a weekly basis to discuss works on the network, and SV are aware of the Smallbrook and GPR schemes. I would advise residents to contact SV directly in relation to their operational activities, or to check their website for changes to their service.
