Major improvement works to New Road in Brading have been successfully completed, ahead of schedule, with large sections of the highway reconstructed between Marshcombe Shute and the High Street.

The scheme, delivered by Island Roads, involved deeper than usual excavations to tackle the underlying issues that had led to the deterioration of the carriageway.  By addressing the root cause of the problem, the team has helped secure a longer-lasting, more resilient stretch of road for residents, businesses and visitors.

To reduce overall disruption, two crews worked simultaneously in phased sections, including a full closure between Marshcombe Shute and Wrax Road and temporary traffic signals between Station Gardens and the High Street.  The works were carefully scheduled during the winter months to avoid impact on a key route during the main tourism season.

An Island Roads spokesperson said: “We know this was a significant piece of work and a considerable challenge given the adverse weather conditions, and we are very grateful to residents, local businesses and road users for their patience and co-operation while it was carried out.

“By undertaking a comprehensive reconstruction now, we’ve reduced the risk of repeated emergency repairs in the future, particularly during the busy summer period.

“We appreciate that closures, diversions and temporary traffic management are never easy and the support of the local community has helped us to complete this ahead of schedule.”

During the works, pedestrian access was maintained wherever it was safe to do so, and residents’ access was facilitated throughout the closure.

Island Roads would also like to thank local businesses for their understanding, and the wider community for planning their journeys around the necessary diversion routes while the improvements were completed.

The newly improved New Road is now fully open, providing a safer, smoother and more durable route through Brading.