Road closure 'big blow to new business', says owner

The owner of a 10-week-old business says a key road being closed for nearly two weeks is a "big blow", with bookings "notably dropping for the first time since opening".

Fairlee Road on the Isle of Wight is closed in both directions until May 1, with drivers and buses diverted during the roadworks.

Sam Shaw, owner of The Cockle, a new restaurant off Fairlee Road, says he was not told about the closure and instead found out through a staff member who travels in by bus.

Island Roads says the closure is needed to allow major water and sewerage improvement works to be carried out, adding: "There is no good time to undertake work on Fairlee Road, and some disruption is unfortunately inevitable."

Island Roads says works involves excavating trenches up to six metres deep on the route into and out of Newport.

Shaw says there has been "no communication directly to my business from anybody about this closure", which he said was a "shiver down the spine moment because at the moment every day counts this early on".

"I'm just hopeful that the Isle of Wight community will still support, even though their journey to and from the venue will be horrid," he added.

A spokesperson for Island Roads said: "By scheduling the works between the Easter holidays and the main summer season, and by co-ordinating them with other recent activity in the area, we are aiming to keep disruption to a minimum.

"We will also do everything we can to encourage the contractor to complete the utility upgrade as quickly as possible."

Shaw also owns The Fighting Cocks in Arreton.

He says roadworks on the island, which have been "very topical since Christmas", have had a "detrimental affect" on the pub.

"There never seems to be a week goes by when there isn't a main artery shut on the Isle of Wight," he added.

Meanwhile, Nigel Smith, owner of Festival Diner Bar in Union Street in Ryde says since January there has been "no direct access" from the west of the island to Ryde.

"Our trade was probably about 40 per cent down at a very difficult time of year for us anyway," he said.

He said while he understands the need for the works to take place, "it seems that they have no consideration for the local community".

"There's no consultation, they don't talk to anybody," he added.

"They might send a letter around saying what they're doing, but they don't actually engage with anybody, particularly the businesses."

The road closure has been described as a "nightmare, especially at rush hour" by Andy Wren who runs family-owned chimney sweeping service, Wightsweep, on Fairlee Road.

He believes the works should have been done during the Easter holidays.

Island Roads said in a statement: " We do appreciate there is a high volume of roadworks currently and we would like to thank road users, residents and businesses for their understanding.

"The work was publicised in the local media and advance notice boards were also put out at the location prior to work commencing.

"Because the Island is a holiday destination, we seek to limit work in the summer months and public holidays in support of the tourism economy. This approach does however mean work can be concentrated at other times of the year."