News and views

The problems of water leaking in Worsley Road have been going on for many months. Over the winter it was like an ice rink. I’ve been pressing Southern Water to continue looking for the source. They carried out two digs recently, finding leaks and repairing them. Unfortunately there still seems to be some water emerging out of the road near the cut-through to Albany Road. I have asked Southern Water for an update on whether they think there still is a leak or if this is groundwater.

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A resident raised concerns with me about the potholes in Partridge Road and Hewitt Crescent. Although a full upgrade should happen this year, I’ve asked that the potholes be filled in given how many there are and how deep they are getting.

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The railings at the bottom of the steps were damaged badly recently and have been replaced with temporary barriers. Island Roads have assured me that replacement barriers will be installed as soon as possible.

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At the annual meeting of Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council on Monday, 15 May 2023, I was elected as chair of the council for the coming year. I had been the vice-chair for the previous year. I’m looking forward to working with all my colleagues and our excellent staff team as we work to deliver services and facilities. The following extract of the report to the Annual Parish Meeting also on the same evening summarises much of the work we do: “Work began on the refitting of the council’s property at 64 High Street in late 2022. The building is now in use as an office for its staff. Prospective tenants have been identified for its shoplets, and work on…

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Isle of Wight councillor, Michael Lilley, has joined the Liberal Democrats. He had been a member of the Alliance Group. Following Nick Stuart’s tremendous by-election win last November, this takes the Liberal Democrat council group up to three members. It may not be many but as a ‘hung’ council where no party has an overall majority, this means the Lib Dems have more influence. I’ve known and worked with Michael since we were both elected to Isle of Wight Council in 2017 and I’ve seen how he always tackles issues in a liberal way. Nick and I are looking forward to working with Michael on the many issues facing Islanders, particularly pressing for action to tackle poverty, to provide housing…

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Adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release. A consultation is now under way on traffic regulations for the proposed People First Zone in Newport High Street. The zone aims to improve the pedestrian environment making the High Street a more pleasant place to shop and spend time. The new traffic regulations include more usable pavement space to make walking around the town easier, and feature new planting, seating and cycle parking. A public consultation last year has led to design changes in response to the feedback, including: Introduction of more planting, in larger blocks, to give the town centre a greener feel. Improvements to parking for disabled people, with parking on both sides of the road and one…

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