The progress being made by Island Roads to improve the Island’s highways network was outlined to members of the IW Federation of Small Businesses.
Representatives of local businesses attended Island Roads’ HQ at Daish Way, Dodnor, in what was the second briefing organised by the Highways PFI company and the FSB.
Senior Island Roads staff including service director Paul Herbert outlined the continuing work to transform the Islands network from one of the worst in the country to one of the best. Other areas of the project including the new energy-saving street lighting system, the ongoing roads maintenance programme and the opportunities for small businesses were also discussed.
IW FSB vice chairman, Norman Arnold, said: “Clearly the Highways PFI has a great impact on the local business community, not just in terms of the benefits – and short term disruption – of such a comprehensive upgrade but also the business the project generates for local companies.
“We have always found Island Roads very eager to engage with the Federation and I know our members valued this latest opportunity to hear more about the Highways PFI project and to have their questions answered.”
Mr Herbert said: “So far, around £34 million has been spent with around 150 local supply chain partners and by the end of the contract this will have risen to around £150 million. This is a significant boost to the Island’s economy.
“We were delighted to once again host members from the IW FSB and we will continue to work closely with the Island’s business community whose support is greatly valued.”
Mr Herbert said that he has recently been pleased to receive a number of positive comments from companies affected by two resurfacing schemes, South Street and East Street in Newport and Godshill Main Road.
“Both schemes were undertaken at night in order to minimise disruption and as is customary, we liaised with businesses and residents beforehand but we were nevertheless pleased to receive many favourable comments from several companies.”
What businesses said:
The Essex Restaurant, Godshill. Good job done. Great to be kept informed and visit to mobile visitor centre put my mind at rest. Job had to be done and it was great to wake up in the morning and to see the new road. The clean-up team who came the day after were absolutely amazing.
Model Village, Godshill. Couldn’t have been better, exemplary! Worked at a good speed and very impressed. The teams on site were exceptional.
Thatched Cottage, Godshill: On time and very good. The teams did their job and with great effort. In respect of my concerns about the vibrations the foreman listened to my concerns and responded effectively.
Pizza Hut, South Street, Newport: Works went really smoothly. No complaints at all.
Maplins, South Street, Newport: The whole area looks improved, great!
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