'Frustration' at roadworks during island floods

Roadworks are an added "frustration" on top of the impact of flooding on the Isle of Wight, a local councillor has said.

Villages, including Whitwell, were hit by heavy rain which caused flooding on Sunday evening, leaving some roads impassable and several vehicles stranded.

Councillor Claire Critchison said the rainfall had been "unprecedented" but three major roadworks projects on the island had made getting about even more difficult.

Island Roads previously said carrying out works in winter avoided "uncertainty and inconvenience" during the busy summer tourist season.

Critchison, Green Party councillor for Chale, Niton and Shorwell, said the flooding on Sunday, when 35-40mm (about 1.5 inches) of rain fell, had come as a "sudden shock".

"It felt we were living in a river, there was water everywhere. It was the sheer volume - there was nowhere for it to go, the rivers were full," she said.

"We hadn't had flooding for some time ... this has made people realise how real it can be.

"As we know, the climate is changing - we're getting more rain in a shorter space of time and that it's affecting communities everywhere."

It came as Southern Water had introduced a one‑way system on Horsebridge Hill, meaning there is no access towards Cowes from Newport until 17 April.

Alongside this, the main road into Ryde from Newport is also affected. The A3054 at Fishbourne has a one‑way system and diversions until 10 April.

Island Roads has also begun four weeks of improvements on New Road, Brading, which is closed between Marshcombe Shute and Wrax Road.

Critchison said when the floods blocked other roads "people just couldn't get home".

"This is the time of year we get roadworks done because we don't want them done in the height of the summer - we are a tourist island," she added.

"But the anxiety the road closures are causing is real - people are worried about getting to the ferries, getting to work.

"Having to do long diversions is costing more in fuel and time and that's frustrating for people."

Island Roads previously said "Our work to maintain a safe, good‑quality network is ongoing, and the winter months are when we can make improvements."

It added that delaying its scheme risked "a series of temporary fixes under emergency closures throughout the summer, bringing uncertainty and inconvenience".

A yellow weather warning for rain is in place for the Isle of Wight, along with Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire until late on Friday.

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