Motorists travelling between Newport and Cowes this evening (Thursday, January 25) experienced long tailbacks due to a police traffic stop.

Police stopped a white Ford Transit van on Cowes Road – the main road between the two towns – and questioned the driver about insurance.

As part of Operation Tutelage, Isle of Wight police said officers had previously written to the owner requesting them to get the vehicle insured.

The tax is said to have been out of date since December 2022.

Police handed the driver a ticket for no insurance, and the van was seized and taken to the compound.

Andy, from the roads policing unit, said: “If you were heading to Cowes this evening, I hope you weren’t delayed too much.

“The van has now been removed, and traffic should return to normal quickly.”