Traffic on the Isle of Wight is facing significant disruptions due to emergency roadworks that have resulted in the closure of a vital roadway connecting Shanklin and Ventnor. This unexpected situation has arisen as Southern Water has decided to close Church Road in Shanklin, leaving many concerned about the potential duration of this closure.
What makes this situation even more pressing is the uncertainty regarding when Church Road will reopen. There are worries that this closure may coincide with upcoming construction work on a key diversion route through Wroxall, which is set to resume next week. Starting Monday, Island Roads will be continuing their carriageway reconstruction efforts on Clarence Road, High Street, and St John’s Road in Wroxall after pausing for the holiday season.
The closure of Church Road significantly impacts access to Ventnor, cutting off through traffic between Whiteley Bank and Upper Ventnor while the construction is ongoing. In light of these developments, Southern Vectis buses are currently rerouting to navigate around the closed section in order to maintain service between Shanklin and Ventnor. A representative from the bus company mentioned, "We have no clear timeline for how long this closure will last, but we will keep our passengers updated regarding any effects on the Wroxall closure scheduled for Monday morning. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced during this period."
As a result of the roadworks, specific bus stops located between Daish's and Chimney Steps are temporarily inaccessible. Passengers who typically board at Daish's are being advised to walk to the Shanklin Youth Centre to catch Route 3 in either direction.
Despite the road closures, businesses in Shanklin Old Village continue to operate as usual, welcoming customers without interruption. The County Press has reached out to Southern Water for clarification on whether the necessary roadworks will be completed by the anticipated reopening date on Monday.
