Isle of Wight drainage scheme abandoned after 2 roads closed

In a joint statement, the water company and the local authority have announced that the drainage scheme in Gurnard has ended.

Woodvale Road and Solent View Road, where works had been ongoing since February 3, will be reopened in their original condition.

The two bodies have cited issues relating to maintenance costs keeping them from reviving the scheme.

The abandoned roadworks on Solent View Road in Gurnard (Image: IWCP)

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Both roads have been closed and red barriers raised around the works.

Islanders have voiced concerns to the County Press about the the inconvenience the project has had on their lives and the cost of the works.

One resident said he supports the idea to improve surface water drainage, but described the project as an "appalling waste of money."

Another explained that he is "fed up" of having the red barriers outside his home.

The road closure on Solent View Road (Image: IWCP) The joint statement said: "Southern Water and the IW Council regret to announce that the trial of a roadside sustainable drainage scheme in Gurnard has come to an end.

"Woodvale Road and Solent View Road – where work had started – will be reinstated to their original condition.

"Despite exploring a range of options to revive the scheme, issues relating to maintenance costs ultimately prevented the parties from agreeing on a way forward.

"We sincerely apologise for the disruption caused to local residents and to those affected in the wider community, such as public transport users and local businesses."

The abandoned roadworks on Woodvale Road (Image: IWCP)

Keith Herbert, engineering lead for Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, added: "We're really disappointed we won’t be able to deliver this scheme, especially given the huge success we have already had in cutting storm overflows on the Island, investing more than £8 million and stopping more than 500 releases to date – and Gurnard has been on the front line of that activity.

"Following lengthy discussions with the IW Council and Island Roads, we were unable to agree maintenance costs that we would have to pay, at a level representing value for money to our customers.

"This means we will reinstate Woodvale Road and Solent View Road to their original condition, and instead explore other more sustainable and cost-effective projects to protect our rivers and seas in collaboration with partners."