East Cowes York Avenue diversion change after burst water main

The main burst overnight, at the junction of Clarence Road and York Avenue.

A new diversion route was expected to start from around 11.30am.

Temporary lights were already in place on Clarence Roac, to allow HGVs and artic lorries to make a tight turn on their way to the Red Funnel ferry terminal. 

Delayed work to resurface York Avenue is due to start tonight (Thursday), and was expected to last for six nights, with a full road closure to remain in place.

• Water main burst on East Cowes works diversion route

York Avenue this morning (Thursday).

The new route

Traffic entering East Cowes will now use Old Road, which had already been discounted as a safe alternative earlier in the work. Residents had previously raised safety fears about the route being included.

Traffic leaving town will use residential Osborne Road and a one-way system will be in place through the town.

As well as Red Funnel, traffic to Waitrose, the Floating Bridge and major employer GKN all use the diversion.

Bus routes

As an alternative to the bus stop outside Waitrose, a temporary stop will be in place along Clarence Road at the junction of School Hill Road, as the final stop within East Cowes.

"Horrendous"

East Cowes councillor Karl Love said: "We will be having articulated lorries of all sizes going up and down Old Road in the next few hours and as children are coming out of school.

"It’s an horrendous situation.

"Please drive slowly."

Water is coming through the tarmac on Clarence Road after heavy rain overnight. Storms are expected until Saturday.

Due to emergency Southern Water works in Clarence Road there will be a temporary change to traffic management in E Cowes from approx 11.30am.
Traffic entering town will use Old Road and exit via Osborne Rd which will become one-way.

— Island Roads (@IslandRoads) June 17, 2021