Isle of Wight News- #IW NEWS Isle of Wight Gazette

Cllr Edward Giles, Peter Hayward and Stuart Love

Congratulations to the Isle of Wight Council officers responsible for highways who have brought total chaos to the Island roads.

Surely, they must have won the award for the most naive and short-sighted decisions of 2010!

It’s half term, it’s the Christmas shopping season – so what do they do? Close virtually every route in and out of Newport – that’s what!

Binstead Hill is closed, so traffic from Ryde is being forced towards Robin Hill Island, and then down Long Lane towards Staplers. Then they decide to close the road from Arreton Cross to Blackwater for resurfacing.

So where does traffic from Sandown and Shanklin, heading towards Newport go? You’ve guessed it – towards Robin Hill and down Long Lane. Queues there today stretched back nearly to the Robin Hill island.

Of course there is the alternative route – through Godshill, where temporary traffic lights have caused chaos for weeks. Earlier this week, the traffic coming out of Newport towards Godshill stretched back nearly to Rookley.

Of course there is always the route out of Newport via Carisbrooke. But, oh no. Guess what? The roads have been closed because of road works.

The Gazette specifically approached the IW Council last week about the possibility of such chaos, and they dismissed it out of hand, saying there would be no knock-on effect. Have they ventured out of their ivory tower this week, and seen what’s going on around Coppins Bridge and beyond?

Steve Beynon hard at work

Today the Council issued a statement about the chaotic conditions. It read: “The council received reports of large traffic build-ups around the Blackwater and Godshill areas between 4 – 7pm last night (25 October). One of the main causes was the volume of traffic which normally uses the Blackwater Road being diverted due to resurfacing works on the A3056 between Blackwater Junction and Arreton Cross. These resurfacing works are due to be completed at 5pm on Wednesday 27 October and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We understand there was a road accident around 6pm at Blackwater Hollow which may have contributed to the traffic congestion.

”We are also aware of concerns relating to a set of temporary lights that are in place outside the Godshill Cider Barns. These traffic lights were put in place by a private contractor as a result of building works. We have taken this up with the contractor to ensure that the issue is addressed. We have been assured the lights will be working properly today which should help reduce congestion.

“With the increased traffic flow due to the diversion and the problems with the temporary lights, this would have resulted in increased congestion at peak times. However, with the problem with the temporary lights remedied, and the resurfacing work due to finish tomorrow, traffic should flow more smoothly.”

Someone wants their backside kicking from Bembridge to Freshwater – the trouble is you would never find a clear route to do it!

VALUE CARS (IW) Limited the owners of Osborne Garage in East Cowes have been awarded the Proton main dealership for the Isle of Wight and are offering three years free servicing with any new car sold this year.

Value Cars purchased Osborne Garage in July 2009, after the previous owners went into administration, and since purchase they have spent over £80,000 on major refurbishment of the showroom and workshops.

Managing Director Mr David Chapman said: “After the refurbishment was completed we were looking to get a new car franchise back for the garage. We looked at many options but wanted a brand of cars that offered style, quality and good value.

“After visiting the Proton UK headquarters in Bristol and seeing their complete operation we were more than impressed. We also learned that Proton purchased Lotus Cars in 1995. Lotus now contribute greatly in the overall design of the new vehicles, producing what can only be described as very stylish, reliable cars, which are fun to drive, with fantastic handling, whilst still managing to offer extremely good value for money.

“They let us drive the full range of vehicles and we soon noticed the input that Lotus has contributed. The cars look smart and drive superbly and are loaded with many extras. We were soon convinced that Proton would be our choice of dealership.

“We have all models in stock and available for immediate demonstration and we seriously recommend anyone looking to purchase a new car in the future to come and test drive the new Proton range. You will be pleasantly surprised - I know we were.”

All Proton cars are supplied with:

• 3 years/60,000 mile total vehicle warranty

• 6 years/100,000 mile engine & gearbox warranty of powertrain components

• 6 years unlimited mileage bodywork warranty

• 3 years unlimited mileage paintwork warranty

• 3 years free RAC cover

• Osborne Special “3 years free servicing” with any car sold in 2010

The Proton range starts from just £7,995 for the 1.2 Savvy Style - a small 5 door hatchback with power steering, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning and parking sensors as standard - leading up to the top of the range GEN-2 1.6GSX 5 door hatchback at just £10,995 that comes with power steering, electric windows, electric mirrors, remote central locking and air conditioning.

Proton are currently running a special offer which gives you a full leather interior upgrade free of charge with any GEN-2 1.6GSX ordered before September 30 2010.

HOVERTRAVEL, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, teamed up with the Hovershow 2010 to carry passengers from Southsea and Ryde to the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent.

On Saturday 15 May 2010, the Hovercraft museum opened for Hover fans all afternoon and evening as part of a campaign to attract more visitors. The museum lit up their wide range of hovercraft for the first time ever with the event continuing past dusk until 10pm.

Warwick Jacobs, one of the Hovercraft Museum’s trustees said: “Hovertravel provided an excellent service for those travelling to the museum. We welcomed record numbers of enthusiasts and their families. As the longest operating commercial hovercraft service and the only passenger service offering a special charter to our show, we were delighted that Hovertravel helped so many of our visitors to arrive on an operating hovercraft.”

The blaze at a Godshill cottage has caused disruptions to Southern Vectis bus services.

Southern Vectis have said: “Due to a house fire in Godshill, Main Road, routes 2 and 3 are diverted from Blackwater Corner to Whiteley Bank and not serving Godshill”

Keep updated via Southern Vectis on twitter.

News coming in from Wighlink advise us of more cancellations due to operational reasons

Wightlink: Please be advised that owing to operational reasons the following sailings have been cancelled:

Wightlink would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. Any passengers concerned about their sailing(s) should call Wightlink reservations on 0871 376 1000.

Portsmouth - Fishbourne Service

Tuesday 20 April and Wednesday 21 April

From Portsmouth Gunwharf: 07:30; 09:30; 11:30
From Fishbourne: 06:30; 08:30; 10:30; 12:30

Lymington - Yarmouth Service

Tuesday 20 April

From Lymington: 2359

Wednesday 21 April

From Lymington: 11:25

From Yarmouth: 0035, 1235

YARMOUTH Harbour needs to undergo major changes, or mooring fees could escalate.

That was the warning handed out by Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners after they unveiled their blueprint for the future.

They fear mooring prices could be as much as trebled if the project to change its layout doesn’t go ahead. The new layout would entail more walk-ashore pontoons, and commissioners say they need to generate more income to pay for improvements to counteract the effects of sea level changes.

Harbour Commissioner Chris Lisher said: “We are hoping we don’t need to raise the cost to harbour users, but if we have to it wouldn’t be by five or 10 per cent, it would be a doubling or trebling our mooring prices to make a significant difference. There is the danger then that you actually start driving people away rather than make more income, so we think this is the best solution.”

THE A3054 Bridge Road will be closed to vehicles at Yar Bridge from 9am on Monday 19 until approx 5pm on Tuesday 20 April and from 9am on Monday 26 until approx 5pm on Tuesday 27 April for the replacement of wheel bearings and shafts by an Isle of Wight Council contractor.

Vehicular access to premises and businesses will be maintained on either side of Yar Bridge.

Access to Halletts Shute/Norton premises and Businesses (including Fort Victoria Country Park and Norton Holiday Centres) will be maintained from the Hill Lane/ top of Halletts Shute direction during the closure.

Diversion Route: A3054 River Road, Tennyson Road and Bouldnor Road, B3401 Thorley Road, Wilmingham Lane, B3399 Newport Road, A3055 Afton Road, School Green Road, Tennyson Road and The Avenue, A3054 Colwell Road, Hill Lane and Halletts Shute.

Wightlink’s car ferry service between Fishbourne and Portsmouth will be disrupted this weekend because of link span maintenance work.

The cancelled sailings on Saturday and Sunday are, from Fishbourne, the 9pm, 10pm, 12am, 2.15am, 4am and 6am sailings and, from Portsmouth the 8pm, 9pm, 11pm, 1.30am, 3am and 5am.

Extra sailings will operate on Sunday on the Yarmouth to Lymington route, from Lymington at 2.15am and from Yarmouth at 3am.
There will also be additional sailings on the Portsmouth to Ryde passenger service, from Portsmouth Harbour at 3.15am and 5.15am, and from Ryde Pier at 3.45am and 5.45am.

Residents’ concerns about anti-social motorists in Newport are still being acted on by Island police officers.

The Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit and the town’s Safer Neighbourhoods teams are responding to complaints of speeding and noise nuisance from local residents about drivers using the A3020 Medina Way and surrounding roads.

The latest in a series of dedicated operations, codenamed Castle, took place when more than 60 vehicles were stopped and checked. This action was supported by officials from the Vehicle Operating and Standards Agency – VOSA.

As a result eight motorists were given delayed prohibitions by VOSA for noisy exhausts, tinted windows that did not comply with Government regulations, and a defective handbrake.

One motorist had their vehicle seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 because of no insurance. Another motorist was warned for careless driving, and three Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme tickets were issued for number plates and lighting offences.

Also one motorist was fined for speeding, and four motorists received verbal warnings about their driving.

Acting Sergeant Peni Houghton of the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit said:

“Residents in Newport tell us that anti-social driving remains a top priority for policing because of disruption it causes to the community. We are committed to providing an excellent service by listening and responding to local concerns.”

“Those who display a dangerous disregard for road safety and people’s quality of life will face prosecution. We also continue to offer opportunities for motorists caught breaking the law to take up further education so they know how to avoid committing offences with their vehicles.”

As the row between Wightlink and the Lymington Harbour Commission rumbles on, the ferry company have been told to provide an in-depth report on the effects its new vessels are having the river environment.

Because the service between Yarmouth and Lymington was deemed by the High Court to be operating unlawfully, the Commissioners claim Wightlink should carry out another assessment to determine whether damage is being caused.

Unrest between the two parties has been ongoing since Wightlink introduced their larger W Class ferries on the route.

A Wightlink spokesman said:

“I can only confirm that we have an agreed monitoring scheme in place that at present supports the view the W Class is not causing any damage to the protected sites and we continue to work with Natural England to agree the final version of the proposed mitigation scheme.”

“Once the mitigation scheme is agreed we will carry out an appropriate assessment.

Changes to the times allowed for free travel and increases for student travel on public transport on the Island come into force on April 1.

The IW Council has issued guidelines for residents pointing out that two changes will be introduced which affect the times of free concessionary travel on the Island and also the cost of the Student Rider ticket respectively.

From April 1, those eligible through age for concessionary fares will be able to travel on public transport for free for journeys commencing between 0930 - 2300 Monday to Friday and anytime on weekends and bank holidays.

Free travel will not be available before 0930 or after 2300 Monday – Friday. Anyone qualifying for a concession because of a disability will be unaffected by this change.

Also from April 1, the cost of a Student Rider ticket will increase from £1 for any journey to £1.20. Nationally, changes on who qualifies for concessionary fares come into force from April 6. The changes affect anyone who was born after April 5, 1950 and an easy way to see if the changes affect you can be done by using a ‘pension age’ calculator provided by the government. This can be done at the following link:

http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp

Islanders who park their cars at the end of Ryde Pier to travel to Portsmouth by Wightlink Fastcats, have been hit by another parking price increase.

The latest rise means that anyone who parks a vehicle for more than two hours will have to fork out a whopping £5.20.

Over the past few months the parking fee for two to 16 hours has risen from £4.60 to £5 and now up to £5.20. Many commuters argue that Wightlink are pulling a ‘fast one’ because it is difficult to travel to the mainland for business or shopping, and be back inside two hours.

Ironically, once the two-hour period has expired the price remains the same for a further 14 hours. Anyone who parks and stays on the piers from 20 minutes to two hours has to shell out £2.60.

Sam Woodman, Marketing Executive of Wightlink said:

“We can confirm that our daily charges have risen by 20p. The revenue generated from the car park at Ryde helps contribute towards the high maintenance costs of the Pier, which is a protected listed structure.”

As for the two to 16-hour charge, Miss Woodman said:

“We have a two- hour charge to assist people collecting relatives from the mainland. This works very well with our Child Escort policy.”

Islanders wanting to travel by coach on the mainland can look forward to cut-price deals thanks to Alex Warner, managing director of Greyhound Coaches in the UK.

When Mr. Warner brought one of the famous Greyhound Coaches to the Island he reckoned he was overwhelmed by the response he received, and now he says he has a real passion for the place.

And in return he has launched a deal that will give Island residents a special offer if they travel on Greyhound Coaches from Southampton or Portsmouth to London.

He said: “If people on the Island use Wightlink they can register details and use promo code ‘Wight saver’. Or if they travel by Red Funnel they can use promotion code ‘red25’. Both will entitle them to a 25 per cent discount.”

Mr Warner says he is happy to work with Southern Vectis Travel Co, and is keen to discuss opportunities with other Island transport services for future integrated transport services.

There are plans to run links from Ventnor, Sandown, Newport, Ryde and Fishbourne so anyone travelling across the Solent on passenger ferries can be picked up at either of the mainland terminals. He said: “the ultimate aim is to be able to get a ticket from say Ventnor straight to London with no nonsense - the ‘golden ticket’.”

He continued: “I think people were very pleased we brought the coach over to the island and they seemed heartened by the fact we have tried to unlock potential on the island for Greyhound coaches.

“There is potential out there and if we work hard at driving up support within the community and local businesses and offer a good integrated service then the world is our oyster.”

And he has promised we will be seeing more of Greyhound on the Island in the next few weeks. He said: “We will be over on the Island promoting deals and offers.

“You will see Greyhound coaches outside the Isle of Wight College, and we will be handing out leaflets in nightclubs and bars, to show reduced travel costs to London.”

Mr Warner believes it is very important to be ‘hands on’ with customers. He has his email on the website and attempts to answer any queries that customers may have. He smiled: “You can’t switch off in the transport business; it’s a 24 hour job.”

He takes pride in sharing his mobile telephone number with customers and says: “I have customers ringing me all the time. I also receive and read emails from customers regularly. It’s all about customer service.

Mr Warner further adds the personal touch be saying: “If there is a delay with the coaches, we strive to give customers great service by buying them sandwiches and crisps and drink, to keep them happy. We will do whatever possible if there is a delay to keep the customer as happy and comfortable as possible.

“At the moment we do not have refreshments on the coaches as we want to keep the fares as low as possible, but it is something that will be looked into. One customer has suggested Greyhound bottled water and this is something we will certainty look into for the summer, as well as having ipod chargers on the coaches. We welcome any suggestions.”

The company are already looking at better connections with ferries, with coaches going right up to the ferry terminal in Portsmouth.

Greyhound run 44 services on Friday and Saturday and 40 services from Sunday to Thursday, with the first coach is 5.10am from Southampton and the first one from Portsmouth at 5.45am. On Fridays and Saturdays they return as late as 11.30pm from London.

More details are on internet link www.greyhounduk.com. People can also purchase tickets on the coaches but can only pay by credit or debit cards and not take cash.