Utility works on an Isle of Wight road have been postponed after residents threatened a blockade.

WightFibre was expecting to close Clevelands Road yesterday (Thursday) but postponed its utility works until next week, to give residents more time to prepare.

The company apologised for the short notice it had given.

The work was scheduled to last until at least next Wednesday (July 12).

Clevelands Road is a private road, meaning it is outside Island Roads permit system, however, WightFibre, as a utility company, has a legal right to carry out work on the highway.

The County Press was contacted by a resident, who said locals only received notification of the works on Tuesday.

Her daughter requires frequent hospital trips due to a medical condition, and the uncertainty of a last-minute road closure had caused the community 'great distress', she explained.

She also warned that residents were planning to barricade the road to stop the works from being carried out.

A spokesperson from WightFibre said: “We apologise for the short notice that was given to residents for our intended works scheduled to start Thursday. 

“We have agreed to only start work on Monday (July 10) instead to give residents time to plan. 

“We met with the residents yesterday afternoon on a one-to-one basis to explain the works.”

WightFibre said full access to emergency vehicles and residents will be maintained until its work is completed.