Update 14 08 2025
Campaigning > Cyclewight Latest News
We would like to remind you that the Stag Lane Bridge
is to close for approximately 6 weeks from 15th September to renew the boards
which have come to the end of their working life. We have been in contact with
Island Roads over this. We have urged them to ensure that the signage is
comprehensive and accurate. This has not been so in the past. The diversion
takes you onto the main road. We have asked for the Stag Lane path up to the
main road to be cleaned up. The footpath which starts just before the bridge is
often used to avoid the bridge when it is closed. We have asked for the
vegetation to be cut back. It is a footpath!
The Merstone closure to R23 was obviously very disruptive
during the busy summer period. The bridge that had to be totally replaced is
now open. It appears to be done to a very high level standard which is
pleasing. We have written to the Isle of Wight Council to point out the
inspection process does not appear to be working as it missed the deteriorating
materials. We have asked for changes to the present regime. The
inspection process has been a long running issue and one which we continue to
seek changes. This event did highlight how important a good quality path is to
visitors and residents. There were plenty of reports of people getting lost
because of poor signage on the diversion, as well as being inappropriate.
There was a loss of income to companies like Pedallers.
You may well have seen that a path has opened from National Cycle
Network R23 at Horringford to Harvey Browns Cafe and Food Hall.
It has met with approval as it is very attractive and means people can get to
HB’s without having to go on the main road. Questions have been raised
whether the surface is of the right quality, and we are checking whether any
improvements are planned. It is a great addition to the reasons for riding
on the Red Squirrel Trail. This path was part of the planning permission though
a little disappointing for it to have taken so long to be built. Part of the
planning permission was for another path which has still to be built. We
believe infrastructure should be built first to ensure that people can
establish active travel options from the start at any development.
And talking of the developments we have noticed on the new housing
at development Godshill that all the pavements are still of the old
design where pavements have an incline to meet the road. This makes
it more difficult for pedestrians and mobility scooters to use because of the
constant change in the level because of the uneven surface. Cars can
cope! Far more difficult for old people and the young to cope with. Why
are these designs still being allowed to happen? There is an improved
bridlepath through the development which is good but let's go for the bigger
picture. We intend to raise this with the planning.
Kidical Mass. Last month we mentioned we intend our next ride to be
4th October from Newport. Now schools and youth groups are back after the
summer break. We need your help to engage with their leaders. Can you get
some details for us so we may approach them? The young people may get a
badge out of it!
We have been in contact with the officer leading the Island
Green Link. He reports, "Thanks to lobbying from various quarters DfT
have re-confirmed the availability of the full grant - £13.5m – and agreed to
an extended timetable for delivery. The timetable was something that was
causing us a great deal of concern. It has now been extended from March 2026 to
March 2029. All packages of the scheme remain in scope as we continue with
the process of detailed design work, costing and aim to commence delivery in
the coming months starting with drainage and resurfacing works on the existing
cycle track between Station Road, Wootton and Belmont Lane.” This is
great news, as is the confirmation that the resurfacing (and presumably
redesignation of the section from the Crematorium to Belmont Lane as a cycleway
or bridleway) will start to improve the route between Wootton and Newport soon.
Local Access Forum. Alec Lawson has been our rep on this statutory body for many
years. He has decided to step down and so Helen Jones has volunteered to
take his place. This is a very important body and as the name suggests it
scrutinises anything linked to access to the countryside. It is a great way for
us to make our views known as well as garner information.
The Isle of Wight Council Highways Committee has approved a series
of new speed limits along the A3056 between Blackwater Hollow and
Lake. The first change to be implemented is a reduction from the limit of
50mph to 40 mph along a stretch by Branstone Farm, Holliers and Goddards
Brewery. The announcements refer to a report and evaluation, which we are
attempting to procure. For cyclists the worst part of the 50mph stretch
of this road is the junction of Bathingbourne Lane/Watery Lane and this A road,
where the Round the Island route crosses, with the dangerous central filter on
the main road. This creates some expectation that the junction can be
crossed in two moves, waiting in the central section between, but there is not
sufficient space and vehicles turning right from the main road are not warned
to give way to crossing traffic trying to cross on the RTI. That section
is not even mentioned as one of the sections being considered for a speed limit
reduction. Nor is Fighting Cocks exit and the stretch with the salad
glasshouses and nurseries. Our thoughts are that these speed limit changes
should be specifically consulted on, and generally that a road with limits
changing every few 100m is at least as dangerous for all traffic as one with a
constant limit and does not give any benefit to travel times. The
statistics are unequivocal that reducing speed limits reduces instances of
people killed or seriously injured in crashes. Our roads have seen far
too many dangerous collisions in the recent past.
Date for your diary. 3rd October AGM. Please keep it free.
Finally, two things to cheer you up. A great piece on
the 20 mph project in Wales. Of course you are led to believe it does not
work by some...... but. Read here And a video about cycling in London.
We know we are not London but the message is "Build it and they will
come" Here