CONTROVERSIAL plans by the Isle of Wight Council to reduce gritting routes have been scrapped following feedback.

The Isle of Wight Council has announced today (Friday) the 52km's of roads it had cut from gritting routes will not go ahead meaning no changes will be made.

The council say after careful consideration of feedback from the public and stakeholders it will continue to grit the same roads as last year — 355km, representing more than 40 per cent of the Island's total road network.

A number of roads were planned to be removed from the programme including the Military Road, Thorley and Wellow Main Roads, East Ashey Lane and Yaverland Road.

Cllr Ian Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and highways, said: “We have listened and acted on the concerns of our residents to ensure we can maintain the widest range possible of safe connections between all of our major settlements this winter.

“Being clear about which routes provide this connectivity helps us to prioritise safety on the roads this winter and I am grateful for the feedback that has clarified how best we can achieve this for our communities wherever they are."

Island Roads, which delivers the winter service on behalf of the council, typically runs the service from November until the end of March, however the company began its close monitoring of the network conditions at the start of October to ensure that any abnormally cold spell could be responded to if required.

Delivery has also been taken of around 1,600 tonnes of salt, similar to the amount in previous years, to prepare for the winter season.

The council is reminding motorists to always drive according to the conditions.

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