A new partnership urging the public to respect highway workers has been launched on the Isle of Wight.
The Island Roads Safety Group (IRSG), comprising the IW Council, Hampshire and IW Police and Island Roads will work together to promote safer behaviour around highway works. It will also remind motorists of the importance of following temporary traffic management, so that essential works can be completed safely and efficiently.
The partnership was launched at Horsebridge Hill, the location of current major works and where, during another project last year, the police successfully took action against motorists who ignored temporary traffic management measures in place.
The partnership acknowledges that the vast majority of road users do respect traffic management and road workers – the way the community supported recent works in Wroxall is an example of that – but a minority of motorists do not and put themselves and others at risk.
Steve Ashman, Island Roads Service Director, said: “Everyone was extremely grateful for the way the Wroxall community supported our teams – it was a pleasure working on that project.
“However, that’s not always the case. Our staff are frequently abused while on sites. That is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our staff are there to improve the highway network and to keep road users safe.
“We appreciate that there is currently a lot of roadwork activity on the Island and we understand temporary traffic lights and diversions can cause inconvenience and frustration. But it is never ok to take that frustration out on staff who are also Island residents and members of the local community and are simply doing their job.”
The IRSG will explore further ways to reduce anti‑social behaviour towards workers and raise awareness that temporary traffic management is legally enforceable and designed to protect both road users and staff.
Last summer, a police enforcement operation at Horsebridge Hill during private‑developer works resulted in action against 184 motorists. Similar enforcement campaigns remain an option elsewhere. Island Roads also deploys mobile CCTV at problematic sites, and staff can use body‑worn cameras where necessary.
Michelle Love, IW Council Service Director for Highways and Community Protection said: “We would all rather avoid the need for enforcement, but it is vital that road users respect highway workers and do not put their own safety – or anyone else’s – at risk by ignoring temporary traffic management.”
Hampshire and IW Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “I was truly shocked by the level of abuse Island Roads staff face. People should be able to do their jobs without facing harassment. I’m proud to support this partnership to tackle the issue and protect frontline workers doing an essential job.”
Chief Inspector Andy McDonald said: “Nobody should feel unsafe or threatened when they are simply doing their job. Island Roads staff are carrying out essential works across the Island, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to make sure behaviour that threatens their safety, and the safety of other road users around these areas, is tackled swiftly.”