Full council has agreed that the recent closure of Firestone Copse Road, near Wootton, should be treated as a matter of urgent concern for the island’s highways governance, accountability and public confidence.
Motion highlights gaps in decision records and communications
The motion, put forward by the council chair, identified a number of alleged shortcomings in the way the closure was handled. Councillors from across political groups told the meeting they had seen the same pattern: a lack of clear, accessible records and inconsistent information reaching residents and businesses affected by the closure.
“The Island’s highways arrangements are not giving residents and businesses the confidence, clarity or accountability they deserve,”
The submission said no formal recorded risk, safety or displacement assessments have been made available and that there is no clear options appraisal or decision record corresponding to the action taken. It added there had been confusion over roles and responsibilities between the council, the Island Roads contractor and Southern Water.
Council seeks urgent scrutiny and independent assurance
Councillors voted to refer the issue as an urgent matter to the appropriate committee or committees for detailed consideration. The motion also requests that the council consider commissioning an independent contract assurance review of the Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
The proposed review would examine:
- the integration and oversight between the council and the PFI contractor (Island Roads);
- the processes for making and recording decisions on highway closures;
- communications with affected residents and local businesses;
- monitoring arrangements and accountability mechanisms during closures.
Practical implications for residents and businesses
Members highlighted that residents and companies in the area experienced significant disruption during the closure. The motion argued that the public record presented to councillors showed “blurred accountability and inconsistent communications”, and sought recommendations at forthcoming meetings in September on how oversight and operation of the highways function might be strengthened.
| Issue | Raised concern |
|---|---|
| Decision records | No clear options appraisal or decision record disclosed |
| Risk assessments | Formal recorded risk/safety/displacement assessments not supplied |
| Communications | Confusion between Island Roads, Southern Water and council roles |
Councillors have asked that the matter be treated as a priority and that the independent review consider the contract, integration and operational arrangements that govern highway works on the island.
The move signals mounting concern at County Hall about how major interventions on the island’s road network are decided, communicated and overseen — and it sets a clear timetable for further scrutiny ahead of the council meetings expected in September.
