More work is to be undertaken over the summer to improve accessibility for pedestrians.
So far this year, tactile dropped kerb crossing points have been installed at 16 locations in partnership with the IW Council. Now a further 11 sites are to be addressed before September.
This year’s work will be in addition to more than 70 new crossing points delivered in recent years both through the PFI programme and using additional money prioritised by the council to fund accessibility schemes.
The new tranche of work will be at the following sites: St Johns Road/Grove Road, Sandown: Summers Lane/St Saviours Road, Totland: Three Gates Road/Rogerson Close, Cowes; Victoria Road/Fellows Road, Cowes; Victoria Road/Granville Road, Cowes; Ward Avenue Car Park Access, Cowes; Weston Road/St Saviour’s Road, Totland; Broadstone Crescent, Brading; Green Lane/Lovett Way, Shanklin; Arthur Street/West Street, Ryde (two sites) and Canoe Lake Road, Ryde.
Island Roads and the council are keen to ensure the footway network remains accessible to everyone. The tactile crossings make life easier not only for those with visual or mobility impairments but also those with prams or pushchairs.
And the rolling programme is being welcomed by Isle Access, the Island campaign group whose mission it is to make the Island more accessible and inclusive for people of all ages.
Chief executive Jan Brookes said: “We are really pleased to see the IW Council and Island Roads continuing their commitment to improving access for many people on the Island.
“The dropped kerbs will make it easier for people to get around their communities and are a factor in preventing loneliness and isolation. Comparatively small steps like these access points can make a great deal of difference to road users with mobility issues.”
The work to install access kerbing is usually undertaken within a couple of days during which time it may be necessary to restrict pedestrian access.
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