Surgeries.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 1st September,
Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
10:30-11:30am, Thursday 3rd September, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:15-5:45pm, Wednesday 9th
September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11:45-12:15pm, Wednesday 16th
September, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
10:45-11:15am, Thursday, 24th September, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.
5:15-5:45pm, Wednesday 30th September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
COVID 19 UPDATE:
Isle of Wight Council Proposed
Car Parking Charges Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront.
Following being approved as part of the IW Council’s
ruling administrations budget for this year, The Council are currently
consulting on proposals to charge for parking on Cowes/ Gurnard seafront seaward
between the junctions with Woodvale Road and Egypt Hill on Princes/ Egypt
Esplanade. It was suggested that
indicative revenue for the IW Council would be £48,000.
Less controversially is an order to impose a parking
restriction on the landward (southern) side of the Esplanade.
It is the IW Council’s intention that charges will apply 24 hours,
365 days of the year under the proposals.
If you wish to object, please email: highways-pfi@iow.gov.uk or write to: Scott Headey,
IW Council Traffic Manager, St Christopher House, 42 Daish Way, Newport,
before 12pm, Friday 18th September.
If objecting, please copy me into your representations. This
allows me to feedback and be consistent to your wishes.
From
my perspective a letterdrop has been made to local residents who are or will be
impacted should the IW Council proceed with this order. Issues of concern include:
1. The
general principle of charging and its impact particularly on residents on low
incomes spending time in Gurnard.
2.
The
impact on Local Businesses, staff and stakeholders all who are still recovering
from the Covid 19 lockdown. Businesses have invested income to regenerate our
area and these charges show the IW Council in a poor light when there is an
expectation the IW Council should be supporting rather than deterring economic
growth.
3.
The
impact upon unrestricted roads that are already congested by parked vehicles. Concern has been expressed regarding the
impact that displaced vehicles will have upon personal and private parking bays.
4.
The
sustainability of parking meters, given the perceived ongoing costs and repairs
allowing the regularity of flooding and storm damage to Egypt and Princes
Esplanade.
5.
The
sustainability of year round costs given the very limited season on Cowes/
Gurnard seafront.
6.
The
impact upon resident’s physical and mental wellbeing, given the lack of free
parking elsewhere. This not only applies
to the elderly and disabled, who enjoy the flat walk for ‘free exercise’, but also to residents using the Esplanade to
access bathing, sailing, cycling, angling, walking, exercising of dogs, beachcombing
and access to the children’s play area. It is felt the long term revenue
savings, will be outweighed by the adverse impact upon residents physical and
mental wellbeing.
7.
To
implement charges at the same level as principle resorts such as Ryde, Sandown,
Shanklin and Ventnor is unfair given comparative facilities on offer.
8.
Locally
there is a dependence on volunteers who frequently beach clean and take rubbish
away. This enhances services provided,
and will be adversely impacted should charges be implemented.
9.
The
impact upon Beach Hut owners, who recently had increases in rents. Many of the
local owners who have huts, consider the IW Council to be pricing local
residents on low incomes out, in favour
of those who use Gurnard as a bolt hole.
10.
Proposals
will impact adversely on plans to provide a walking route to/from Gurnard
School which is badly congested at school collection/drop off times.
·
In
the meantime, I’m seeking residents who are willing to support me in fighting
these ill-conceived charges.
Cowes Park and Ride.
In
addition to proposals above, the IW Council are also intending to implement
charges at Cowes Park and Ride.
From my
perspective I have opposed these charges from the outset when these were first
tabled.
Southern Gas
One Way systems and road closures are intended for
Gurnard for eight weeks from the start of September to allow SGN to carry out
gas main replacement works in the village.
Having scanned the proposals, I and other residents are
litter wiser to what is intended, where and when works will take place, the
direction of traffic flows and if the ‘essential’ works will take place in
stages over the next two months.
I requested that proposals are put in plain English to
allow us all to understand more and make appropriate arrangements. Once the plain English version is available,
I hope to circulate this widely.
In the meantime, I have real concerns over how this will
prolong the pain to our local businesses…
See translation below:
Dear
Paul
Further to your recent emails regarding SGN works
due to commence in Gurnard, these
are scheduled for approximately 2 months, although we are hoping for Tuttons
and Worsely to be open sooner.
The
works are for SGN to replace their mains, as per the Mandatory Mains
Replacement Scheme across the Island.
Part
of their conditions is to provide communications to the residents effected:
Road
Closure jnc of:
Tuttons
Hill
Hilton
Road
Church
Road
Worsely
Road
A
one-way restriction will be imposed on Cockleton Lane from Place Road to Hilton
Road, with a weight/width restriction on Worsely from Solent View to Shore,
Shore to Woodvale and Woodvale to Baring Road.
HGVs
are then to divert via Rew Street.
It
is hoped that by the 18th September, Worsley, Tuttons and
Hilton will be complete and the road re-opened, with rolling works on Church
Road until end of October. Residents will then have a local diversion using The
Avenue.
I
would advise you to contact SGN in relation to this scheme going forward.
This may have the benefit of accelerating the works to complete as soon as
possible and most importantly on schedule.
Kind
regards,
Email: Sent to Island Roads requesting further details from SGN.
Mr Ashman
SGN Works, Intended for Gurnard for 8 weeks, commencing 1st September 2020.
Please be advised that neither residents, nor businesses have received any formal notice concerning forthcoming SGN utility works due to take place for 8 weeks in Gurnard from Tuesday 1st September.
Given the fragility of the economy and the impact upon my local businesses namely:
Gurnard Pines: Cafe, Leisure Complex and Spar Shop. Cockleton Lane, Gurnard.
Nisa Convenience Store, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
The Woodvale (Hotel and Public House), Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
Can I formally (through Island Roads) ask for details from SGN as a matter of urgency the following:
1.Pre-Commencement Signage in Gurnard.
2. Access signage to businesses remaining open during works.
3. Timetabling of works, and scheduling of road closures
4. A Map highlighting traffic flows with when and when works are due to be carried out.
5. A letter (in plain English) to residents, all businesses, myself and Gurnard Parish Council of proposals.
6. A contact point with SGN during works.
In addition, details of how compensation can be claimed by businesses during the duration of works. This will be required, given the commercial and fragile status of businesses already impacted adversely by the Covid 19 crisis.
Please can it be noted that with works due to commence from Tuesday businesses, residents and public transport operators need to be able to plan and make preparations for road closures. From my perspective, can you please feedback my disappointment of the preparatory advice from SGN contractors for these works?
This I consider in the circumstances to be unacceptable.
Yours,
Paul.
Dear Stakeholder,
We are writing to make you aware of our forthcoming upgrade to our gas network at Tuttons Hill. Our project involves the essential replacement of old metal gas mains with new plastic pipe. This work ensures we continue to provide a safe and reliable gas supply to the local area.
This needs to go ahead now, rather than wait until the coronavirus pandemic passes.
In consultation with Island Roads we will start the first part of our project on Tues 1 September and work in two phases
Phase one – Tuttons Hill approximately two weeks
We will start our project in Tuttons Hill on Tuesday 1 September. To ensure the safety of everyone around the work, it will be necessary to close the junction of Tuttons hill with Church Road, Worlsey Road and Hilton Road for two weeks. A diversion will be in place via Cockleton Lane for approximately two weeks
Phase two – Church Road approximately eight weeks
Once phase one has been completed, we will move into Church Road to commence the second part of the project. Church Road will be closed for approximately 8 weeks, access will be available for residents.
Buses will be diverted while the work is in progress.
Our team of engineers will be working weekends to complete the project as soon as possible.
We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. However, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, local residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.
We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work. Please feel free to also share this information with anyone you think may be impacted by our project.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Yours sincerely
Cowes/ Gurnard Highway Safety & Improvement Register Orders.
Island Roads and the IW Council are intending to make a
number of traffic orders (they consider) necessary on health and safety grounds
for Cowes West and Gurnard these are:
These are proposed for:
·
Outside 214 and 215 Baring Road, Cowes. No waiting at any time (NWAAT)
·
Outside chalets 19 and 9,10,11 and 61 and 67 Marsh Road, Gurnard. (NWAAT)
·
Opposite 13 Princes Esplanade, Gurnard (NWAAT)
·
Opposite 182-190 Baring Road, Gurnard. (NWAAT)
·
Baring
Road opposite the Debourne Manor Drive junction (NWAAT).
·
Outside 1 and 3 Crossfield Avenue and opposite entrance to school car park. (NWAAT)
·
Opposite 63-67 Queens Road, Cowes. (NWAAT)
·
Revise to correct location 30 minute waiting
opposite Parklands, Park Road,
Cowes.
·
Between junction with Park Road to opposite
22 Place Side, Place Road, Cowes
(NWAAT)
·
Cockleton
Lane, Gurnard prior to Four Cross junction parallel to 2
Pallance Road, Northwood (NWAAT)
·
No waiting, No loading between 8-9am and
2:30-4:30pm from 10 Woodvale Road to
junction with Baring Road also to cover the existing cycle lane.
Following the above there do remain a number of locations
where I know traffic restrictions were requested, these include the junctions
with Glen Place and Church Road in Worsley
Road, and also the junction with the Isle of Wight Community Club on Park Road. In addition, I am advised
These continue not to be pursued, as Island roads
consider they do not meet the safety criteria required. In response to this, I have requested further
site meetings with Highway Inspectors.
For further information, I have maps for all of the
above. Alternatively, contact: highways-pfi@iow.gov.uk
Cowes Harbour Commision/ Cowes Waterfront Trust Merger
Update.
Thank you to those
residents who responded to the recent consultation. I’m advised that
stakeholders are reflecting on feedback received, and on a personal basis I
remain hopeful better communication will be a positive outcome.
Planning Applications.
·
The Dottens.
A new application has been
received to increase housing at The Dottens, off Baring Road. The main concerns that I have on this
application, at this time is the increase in density, the impact upon views to
listed buildings at Dottens Farm and proposed loss of the ‘Environmental Area’,
conditioned in the previous approval.
These items, I will ask are
considered by Planners when considering this application.
·
Oil drilling Application.
I continue to receive
feedback on this application, and support this planning application being
considered in public to ensure openness and transparency.
Amenity Grass.
Residents have approached
Island Roads to undertake ongoing maintenance of a Grass Verge in Firs Close. Should this be agreed, Cowes Town Council
will consider supporting residents. From
my perspective, I am in full support of this initiative, and am happy to offer
any assistance if required!
I am also supporting a
resident of King James Close taking
on orphaned land. Despite this land not
being in the ownership of the IW Council, I have put the resident in touch with
one of the Estate’s developers in the hope they can offer help.
Trees.
An application has been
received to remove a protected tree in Solent View Road.
In the meantime with Autumn
approaching, I have made a request to replace removed highway trees in Place Road, Solent View Road and Worsley
Road. These trees should have been
replaced in the spring, however was delayed due to Covid 19.
Cowes Medical Centre:
Patients Participation Group.
My grateful thanks and appreciation to the volunteers who
were members of the Medical Centre’s Patients Participation Group, who took the
decision to resign last month.
From my perspective as one of the town’s four IW
Councillors, I remain in touch the Medical Centre and will feedback information
once this is received.
Cowes Floating Bridge: Update.
Last month I received the
following update from IW Council Officers regarding the Cowes Floating Bridge.
Please see an update provided which answers the two
main questions that the general public are asking. As soon as the shipbuilders
have undertaken their diagnostic work , we will be able to provide a timetable
for repair.
1.
What is the
problem?
·
The Floating
Bridge was taken out of service in July for scheduled maintenance.
·
When undergoing
tests prior to returning to service, a major issue with the hydraulic system
was identified
·
The shipbuilders
and their approved contractors investigated and advised the council the vessel
could not return to service.
·
The Hydraulics
operate several systems including the prow ramps.
2.
How long will it
be out of service, and when will it return?
·
By the end of
August we will know the cause, extent of the issue, date for completion of the
works and return to service.
·
Contractors removed
some of the main components of the hydraulic systems including the main drive
and auxiliary pumps and motor.
·
These have now
gone to workshops where they are being fully examined and inspected, cleaned
and repaired in the workshops.
·
This work may
identify yet unforeseen issues with the parts and appropriate replacements may
be required.
Once we know more myself and other Councillors will
provide updates…
St Mary’s junction.
Traffic delays continue to be an issue at this junction,
this follows work commencing on the more difficult aspect of the scheme. It is anticipated delays will become more
commonplace between now and when the works conclude in December. For updates
visit: http://islandroads.com/newport-st-marys-strategic-junction-improvements/
In the meantime, I am liaising with Ward Councillor,
Andrew Garratt on issues being raised following feedback and am intending to
ask a question to Full Council relating to the impact that the delays continue
to have upon residents.
Waste Updates.
I
am aware there remains confusion over what goes out and when. Please note most rubbish is now recyclable.
Items that currently cannot be
recycled and must be deposited in the black wheelie bin are:
|
Nappies/
Sanitary Products |
Animal
Waste |
Polystyrene |
|
Plasters
and Dressings |
Cold Ash |
Sweet
& Crisp Wrappers |
|
Cling
Film |
Foil Pet
Food Pouches |
Contaminated
(with food/oil) |
|
Bubble
Wrap |
Blister
strips from pill packets |
|
Resurfacing, Park
Road.
Eventually,
last month the lower section of Park Road was resurfaced by Island Roads.
This
took longer than expected given damage to Southern Water’s infrastructure
beneath the road. Similar to issues
reported a few months ago in Crossfield Avenue, I continue to despair at the
lack of communication between utility companies and Island Roads.
In
response to this, I have sought support from the IW Council to act as a conduit
between both bodies.
Jet Ski’s
During the summer, I have
continued to receive complaints concerning Jet Ski’s and small boats coming
into conflict with bathers at Gurnard. I
have contacted both the Marine Police and have requested support from the IW
Council to better signpost restrictions that are in place.
New!! NHS Test and
Trace app. now available.
Following
problems with the first app (!?) Island residents are being asked to
participate in a further NHS Track and Trace app. All households on the Island should have been
contacted and can only install the app on Android and Apple Platforms with the
unique codes quoted in the letters.
Housing Issues.
Following
a longstanding (18 month!) delay, issues concerning statutory repairs to a
residents daughter’s home on the Westbury
Estate has now been undertaken by their landlord.
Following a virtual meeting with MP, Bob Seely I am awaiting a further meeting to address resident’s concerns over utility charges at Gurnard Pines.
According
to Bob there is legislation being processed to tighten up the use of ‘Holiday’
Accommodation. At this stage- from my
perspective, I am unsure to what extent this will safeguard residents. However, by next month I am ever hopeful that
I can find out more!
I
continue to support residents that are dealing with some rogue tradesmen who
are taking advantage of local residents.
I have contacted both Trading Standards and The Police, and have
considerable sympathy given the lack of powers available to intervene. On this I continue to persevere…
Isle of Wight Railway.
With the Local Access Forum, I have met with
officers from South Western to discuss proposals for the ‘new’ 1970’s rolling
stock when it comes into service on the Island in 2022. It is planned that
there will be improved connectivity to the Steam Railway, whilst Brading
Station will be extended to have improved pedestrian/ disabled access. Trains
will comprise of four carriages, rather than two and will run half hourly.
As the only IW Councillor at the meeting, I asked
questions concerning better integrated through ticketing and better connections
with the Wightlink Catamaran Service to and from Portsmouth.
In addition, we were advised the new trains are
slightly faster, and has greater scope to turnaround quicker. Because of issues
concerning the purchase of tickets new vending machines will be installed at
Ryde St. Johns, Sandown and Brading.
Cowes
Community Bus.
The
Community Bus will operate Saturdays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Wednesdays from
September.
Because
of cutbacks to the Southern Vectis School Bus Fleet, the final bus of the day
will no longer operate. I am told, the reduction in service is due to the loss
of revenue from the IW Council.
Diamond
Races, Motor Cycle Event.
I have been contacted by a number of
residents who live on the Event circuit requesting my support regarding this
intended event, which is intended to take place next year.
In response for feedback, the Council has
advised me the event and its safety is being scrutinised by the IW Safety
Advisory Group. In the meantime, please
let me know your views!
Also
this month.
·
I
continue to receive complaints concerning barking dogs left both indoors and
outdoors during the day.
·
An
‘abandoned’ vehicle in Church Road has been reported.
·
I
have followed up complaints made concerning the new toilets at Gurnard. I am advised by the Parish Council that
earlier issues have now been (mostly) resolved.
·
As a result of last month’s fire on Place Road, I
understand that damage occurred to a neighbour’s property nearby through no
fault of their own. In light of this, I
have advised the fire service is contacted to assist.
·
The bin removed from Worsley Road, is due to be
replaced in an alternative location in the coming weeks.
·
I supported a landowner wrongly contacted by Island
Roads to clear vegetation from a nearby street light.
·
(I think and hope!) to resolve a neighbourhood
dispute in Crossfield Avenue following a misunderstanding.
·
I received a complaint concerning a local
bonfire. In response to this, this is
another issue that I will be taking up with the MP, given the limited powers
that Environmental Health has.
·
I have relayed concerns regarding ‘Powered Transporters’. This follows the government revising the law
on e-scooter hirers.
·
At my recent meeting with the MP, concerns were
raised regarding proposals to increase housing stock. Bob suggested that the government’s new
housing strategy will feature three different pillars for development- Growth (for developers); Renewal
and Protection (to protect the Environment).
For this reason the MP is pushing for National Park (or at least AONB)
status for the whole Island.
·
I have been approached by residents from Pallance
Road requesting measures to be put in place to reduce traffic speeds.
Support was given to both the Local Councillor and residents following concern being raised over falling levels of the water on the old boating lake at Sandown, and the impact this was having on fish. During this event, I was happy to act as a go-between during the rescue.
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