FEWER roads will be gritted this winter as the Isle of Wight Council seeks to make budget savings.

A number of roads have been removed from this year’s programme including the Military Road, Thorley and Wellow Main Roads, East Ashey Lane and Yaverland Road.

The route between Northwood and Shalfleet via Porchfield, and including Whitehouse Road to Vittlefields Cross, will be treated in the expectation of higher than normal traffic volumes using the route during the St Mary’s junction improvement works.

The council has published a gritting route map to help people identify routes which will be treated in freezing conditions as part of its winter maintenance service.

Around 35 per cent of the Island’s total road network will be treated this year — which the council pointed out is more than the 25 per cent average for local authorities in the South East.

It said the reduction of gritting routes was necessary as part of the council’s 2019-20 budget savings, and it followed a full risk assessment.

Island Labour Chair, Julian Critchley, criticised the move, which he said passed through the council without proper scrutiny, and with no public consultation.

He said the cuts risk isolating rural communities, rendering the roads less safe.

He said: "Time after time, we have our Tory MP and our Tory council telling us austerity is over, that there's new money flooding in.

"Yet the reality is that out of the public eye, with no consultation or scrutiny, the endless cuts continue."

Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “The council’s focus has to be on the Island’s primary routes — those carrying the highest volumes including key commuter routes — as it is not practical or economical to salt every road.

“Despite the need to make savings, we have ensured our arterial routes are covered to keep the Island moving in times of snow and ice.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and, should the need arise, carry out bespoke gritting where necessary.

“We will also continue to treat pavements in town centre locations in snowy conditions.”

Island Roads, which delivers the winter service on behalf of the council, typically runs the service from November until the end of March, and is already monitoring the forecasts.

It has also taken delivery of around 1,600 tonnes of salt, a comparable amount to previous years, in readiness for the winter season.

Cllr Ward added: “Please take extra care when driving in dangerous conditions, especially if the roads are icy or frosty, or if it’s snowing.

“Always drive according to the conditions. Just because a road has been gritted doesn’t mean it is safe to drive at normal speeds in poor weather conditions.

“While we do everything we can to keep traffic moving during severe winter weather, it is important for drivers to drive with caution and consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary."

The map is at islandroads.com/27-winter-service-.html

UPDATE: Fears have been raised for the wellbeing of vulnerable elderly residents who receive care and support at home.

In a joint statement, Unison local government branch secretary Mark Chiverton and Unison health branch secretary Jay Chappell said: “As the union for many of the Island’s health and social care workers, such as community nurses and care support staff, who travel daily across the Island to provide care and support for vulnerable people, Unison is disappointed the first we knew of these cuts was in the local media.

“There is a real danger communities will be left isolated in winter when residents are at their most vulnerable.

“We would urge the council to reconsider this, or at least show us the evidence they have taken into account in deciding these measures will not affect the many vulnerable people who need care.

“To our knowledge, these cuts have been introduced with no democratic scrutiny nor consultation and that cannot be right.”

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