Latest news with #IsleOfWightCouncil
BBC News
25-07-2025
- BBC News
Isle of Wight coroner given warning over four-year inquest delay
The coroner for the Isle of Wight has been given a formal warning after a family waited four years for an Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) received a complaint about the conduct of Caroline Sumeray from a relative of the person who died in are meant to complete an inquest within six months of being made aware of a death or "as soon as is reasonably practicable".Senior Coroner Sumeray said severe long-term staffing issues, a lack of suitable court premises and difficulties with responses provided by a third party had been factors in the delay. She also said the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and personal circumstances attributed to the the nominated judge for the JCIO disagreed and said there was no "reasonable explanation" for the extent of the delay, believing the inquest should have been held by the end of its judgement, the statement from the nominated judge said the failure to hold the inquest, almost two years after it should have been held, amounted to misconduct and issued Senior Coroner Sumeray with a formal was upheld by the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor although they acknowledged Ms Sumeray's unblemished conduct a statement, Isle of Wight Council acknowledged its part in failing to deliver staffing and accommodation to enable the coroner's service to function said both the council and Senior Coroner Sumeray "fully recognise and regret the distress caused by delays ... particularly for bereaved families".It added it was working "collaboratively" on a recovery plan, to deal with the backlog of cases and long-term staffing March 2024, the council said it planned to redevelop the first floor of its offices at Seaclose park to provide long overdue Coroners' Court facilities. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- The Guardian
‘Serious risk to life': scenic Isle of Wight road could fall into sea, warns council
It is considered one of the most scenic routes in the UK, an 11-mile stretch of road that skirts the coastal cliffs and enjoys sweeping views of the Channel. The problem is that Military Road on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight is getting just a little too close to those plunging cliffs for comfort. Fears are being raised that erosion has left the road just a few metres from the cliffs – in some parts less than 5 metres – and lives could be in danger. Becca Cameron, a councillor who called a public meeting on the situation, said urgent safety measures were needed to prevent a tragedy. 'I feel there is a serious risk to life,' she said. 'Drone footage shows how serious the risk is and how close the cliff is to the road. When a bus passes over the cliff, you can feel the vibrations. We have no warning system if the road collapses.' One person who travels on the local bus that follows the route described parts of it as a 'rollercoaster'. Others called for the road to be diverted inland or for weight restrictions to be imposed. Some local people want crash barriers and lower speed limits. Military Road is the responsibility of the Isle of Wight council as the highways authority. It said the route was experiencing the 'real effects of geological erosion.' In the late 1990s it carried out work on a section running along Afton Down, which included bolstering the route's chalky foundations. But the council is worried over a stretch of about two miles between the village of Brook and a caravan and camping site at Compton Farm. In a report published last year, the council said the issues were being caused by 'natural coastal erosion, and water coming off the downs and forming chines [a steep sided gorge] by wearing down the soft clay and orange Wealden rock.' It added: 'A potential alternative option is to reroute this stretch of the road inland which would guarantee the route for a further 20 years or more.' But it warned this would cost more than £20m. The Military Road was constructed in about 1860 to supply coastal garrisons and consisted at that time of only a narrow unmade track. Almost a century ago, it was adopted by the Isle of Wight county council (a former incarnation of the local authority). The road was widened and certain sections were realigned because even then, they were threatened by cliff erosion. In more recent years the climate emergency and extreme weather events have exacerbated the problem. The Isle of Wight council is keen to keep the route open because it connects communities and is also a major tourist attraction. Visit England has advised people to visit before it is too late. It said: 'Running parallel with the west coast of the isle, the A3055 (aka Military Road) is a road trip that should be taken sooner rather than later, as erosion along the coast could see parts of the road disappear. 'The 11-mile route may be short, but it offers a wealth of sweeping ocean views and memorable country landscapes.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Roadworks finish early after weeks of delays
Roadworks on a main route between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight have been finished and the road has opened three days early. The works at Horsebridge Hill have been in place since 12 May on the edge of Newport - with a temporary week-long halt for the Isle of Wight Festival - so a new junction could be built for a housing development at Acorn Farm. A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) on the northbound stretch was in place with temporary lights southbound. A full closure had been scheduled this weekend but the works, due to finish on Monday, were completed ahead of schedule. Isle of Wight Council said: "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused." Local businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on trade. The council warned drivers to be aware of the new road layout in place and said the road would have a 30mph speed limit until further notice. More stories from Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Watch the latest episode of South Today Listen to the latest news from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Motorists face disruption after main road closure Roadworks with 11km detour return after festival Isle of Wight Council
BBC News
05-07-2025
- BBC News
Horsebridge Hill roadworks finish early after weeks of delays
Roadworks on a main route between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight have been finished and the road has opened three days works at Horsebridge Hill have been in place since 12 May on the edge of Newport - with a temporary week-long halt for the Isle of Wight Festival - so a new junction could be built for a housing development at Acorn Farm.A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) on the northbound stretch was in place with temporary lights southbound. A full closure had been scheduled this weekend but the works, due to finish on Monday, were completed ahead of schedule. Isle of Wight Council said: "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused."Local businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on council warned drivers to be aware of the new road layout in place and said the road would have a 30mph speed limit until further notice. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Horsebridge Hill reopened ahead of schedule after overnight roadworks completed
UPDATED GREAT news for those who use the main Newport to Cowes route. It has reopened this morning (Saturday). Work scheduled to be carried out over the weekend on Horsebridge Hill has been completed ahead of schedule by contractors, Crown Park. The road was shut in both directions from 8pm last night (Friday), and was due to remain closed until Monday (July 7). (Image: Isle of Wight Council) But roadworks were completed overnight, between Newport and Cowes. READ MORE: Travel and traffic updates for the Island this Saturday Horsebridge Hill to close completely this weekend Isle of Wight Council put out a statement on social media this morning (Saturday) to confirm. "Horsebridge Hill is now open to two-way traffic," the local authority has said. "Please be aware there is a new road layout in place as you pass through the work site. "There is a 30mph speed limit in place until further notice. "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused." The road had been closed in one direction since May 12, apart from a brief reopening last weekend and for the Isle of Wight Festival. READ MORE: Residents vent frustration at public meeting over Horsebridge Hill diversion Retired highways professional gives his view on Horsebridge Hill works "Amount of road closures on the Island at the moment is a scandal" The one-way system and full closure had been necessary, to allow for junction improvement works at the Island's largest affordable housing development in a decade, located at Acorn Farm, off Horsebridge Hill. The new Three Oaks development will bring 203 new affordable homes to the Island. "The end result will bring positive benefits to the Island and its residents," the council added.
