Horsebridge Hill roadworks FAQs

The roadworks are needed to support the construction of 203 new homes on the site of the former Acorn Farm, along the A3020 Cowes to Newport Road. To allow safe access to and from the site, the developer is building a new junction connecting the development to the main road.

This housing development includes a mix of homes, with a large number being affordable housing. It’s part of one of the largest affordable housing projects on the Isle of Wight in recent years.

For more information:

• View the full planning application (23/01538/FUL) on the council planning portal
  
• Read the February 2025 press release about the affordable housing development
  
• Learn more on our Housing Development Projects page
  

The volume of traffic that uses the A3020 means that if traffic was allowed to continue in both directions and two-way traffic lights were installed at the junction, this would cause long delays on the route between Newport and Cowes which would create a different set of problems for businesses, emergency services, schools and residents than creating a diversion route.

There is constant pressure on the Island’s road network.

• Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council have a legal duty to ensure that traffic keeps moving as efficiently and safely as possible.
• In addition to this, the statutory utilities (broadband, electricity, gas, telephone, water) have a legal right to carry out roadworks to maintain and replace their equipment that run under the road, this can be planned works or emergencies if there is a risk that residents will lose essential services.
• There is planned and emergency maintenance by Island Roads, events, the tourist season and new developments that require changes to the road network like the one at Horsebridge Hill.
• It is the job of the Island Roads Network Management Team to manage and schedule these works to ensure that all necessary works are carried out and that the main routes are kept as clear as possible as much as possible.
  

These works are related to the planning permission given to the developers Captiva in September 2023.

• There is a public consultation process for the planning application and this application received 17 public comments.

Full details of the planning application can be found on: 23/01538/FUL| Demolition of dwelling and agricultural buildings; Proposed residential development consisting of 203 dwellings, Refuse/bike stores, Means of access, Open space and associated infrastructure (revised plans/additional information)(readvertised application) | Land At Acorn Farm 4 Horsebridge Hill Newport Isle Of Wight PO30 5UP

The work to construct the new junction are part of this planning application.

The road works are temporary and will be complete by July 4 2025, there is no requirement for formal consultation with the public about temporary roadworks because they are necessary for construction of buildings/properties that have planning permission or for the essential maintenance of the road or the utilities underneath it.

Consultation doesn’t take place because the work has to go ahead even if people do not agree with the roadworks that are necessary for the works.

Working at night wasn’t possible due to the extensive remodelling of the network, the road layout is being completely changed. There wouldn’t be enough time to do the work overnight and make the road safe to use again each morning.

Also, night work wouldn’t speed things up. The team is already using all their resources during the day. If they worked at night too, they would just move the same team to a night shift, without adding extra workers or saving time.

Finally, working at night would create noise and disturb nearby residents, without helping the project finish any sooner.

Yes, we have asked the developer for a six-day working week to progress the works more quickly. 

From Monday 12 May 2025 until Friday 4 July 2025, there will be a diversion route for all vehicles travelling north from Newport to Cowes using Forest Road, Whitehouse Road, Rolls Hill and Pallance Road. Signage will be in place to direct the traffic.

• Traffic travelling south from Cowes to Newport will still be able to use the A3020, there will be temporary traffic lights at certain points to allow for pedestrians crossing, traffic turning out of key junctions, and access to the site.
• Pedestrians will be able to use the footpath and there is a pedestrian crossing point installed within the works.  On the western side it is a temporary footpath on the highway. The western footpath is not available to pedestrians for its complete length.
• If cyclists are using the road then they will need to follow the one way system or they can dismount and walk along the footpath with the pedestrians.
• All residences and businesses along the A3020 Cowes to Newport Road can be still be accessed, but people may have to go round the one way system to reach some of the residences depending on which direction they are coming from.

No, other traffic is not allowed to travel northbound through the one-way system, except for emergency vehicles at all times, and buses between 6am and 8pm.

This restriction is in place because allowing too many types of vehicles to travel northbound through the southbound one-way system would cause traffic build-up at the traffic lights and passing points. The one-way system is designed to reduce this kind of congestion.

• The one-way system is part of the traffic management plan for the diversion which takes into account the width of the roads being used on the diversion route, 2 way traffic needs a minimum of 6.5 metres to safely pass each other and so some parking has had to be suspended to create extra room for the traffic and ensure that it is not backed up behind parked cars.
• There are temporary traffic lights at the entrance to the site and along the A3020 to allow traffic and pedestrians to move safely in the one-way system.
• Traffic in one way systems will naturally travel faster as there are less hazards such as traffic coming the other way and turning out of junctions to watch out for so drivers speed increases.
• There are temporary speed limits in place on the diversion route and through the one way system to make drivers more aware of the changes to their surrounding and make the route safe.
  

For these types of works, a traffic management plan is produced to show all the requirements needed to operate around the works site and through the diversion route safely.

This plan includes a signage schedule, any requirements for traffic regulation orders or temporary traffic regulation orders to reduce speed limits or to suspend parking.

The plan is reviewed with by a Traffic Safety Control Officer, and then submitted to Island Roads for their review so that permission for the roadworks can be given.

Yes, there are ongoing works by SGN on Nodes Road. However, these works do not overlap with the diversion route for the Horsebridge Hill one-way system.

When planning a diversion, it’s standard practice to avoid scheduling other works on the diversion route itself, but this doesn’t apply to nearby or surrounding roads. The situation will be monitored, and if SGN’s works start to directly affect the Horsebridge Hill diversion, Island Roads and the council will work with SGN to complete their works as quickly as possible.

The diversion route must use roads that are same in classification to the one being closed.

The Medina Way/Forest Road junction has permanent traffic lights and enough space to manage traffic safely and efficiently.

Noke Common doesn’t have these features, so it wouldn’t be safe or practical for a diversion. That’s why the route starts at the Forest Road junction instead.

The roadworks on Rew Street are being carried out by BT Openreach to install or repair utilities. This diversion route connects with the one-way system at Horsebridge Hill, so any traffic from Rew Street will follow that same route. The works are planned to finish on Thursday, 15 May 2025, so there will only be a short overlap with the other roadworks.

The speed limit on Pallance Road is 30 mph. Usually, when traffic increases, vehicle speeds tend to decrease because the road is busier.

However, if residents feel that vehicles are speeding, they can report their concerns directly to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary using this link:

• Report speeding concerns – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
  

The Council will continue to work closely with the police and will highlight any areas, including Pallance Road, that may need extra speed enforcement.

When traffic increases, average vehicle speeds usually decrease because the road is busier. At this time, there’s no evidence of a speeding issues on Rolls Hill.

However, if a pattern of increased speeding is recorded, further speed restrictions could be considered in the future.

The emergency services, Ambulance, Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Service and Police will be able to travel northbound through the one-way system at all times.

• No, the hospital and prison can be accessed as normal from Newport.
• If you are travelling from Cowes, you will be travelling south along the A3020 through the one way system so your journey time and access will remain the same.
  

Waste collections will continue as normal throughout the roadworks at Horsebridge Hill, they maybe later than expected.

Ensure recycling, waste and garden waste is kerbside by 7am.

• To report a waste issue use our online service: Report a waste problem. It offers several quick and easy options.

If cannot use the online service or need help call our contact centre on 01983 823777.

To help students get to college during the roadworks:

• Buses have a  waiver for travelling north through the one-way system, meaning students travelling from the south and west to the college are as unaffected as possible.
• For students travelling by car, the one-way system helps traffic flow better than using two-way traffic lights, which would cause long delays.
• As with any major roadworks, the council advises everyone to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey.

• Between the hours of 6.00am and 8.00pm buses will be able to travel northbound through the one-way system.
• Between the hours of 8.00pm and 6.00am, buses will follow the diversion route.
  

Yes, the Floating Bridge will be operating normally during this period. 

Details of any changes will be given to your local ward councillors to distribute to residents and published on the Isle of Wight Council website, local press and social media will be updated if there are any changes.

• Horsebridge Hill roadworks updates - Isle of Wight Council website
  
• Isle of Wight Council social media channels
  
• Contacting a Councillor