'Dangerous' Isle of Wight road is accident blackspot say residents

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Sandford neighbours, Andrew Snart and Phil Nippard, say accidents are being caused by a "constant" stream of water running down Red Hill Lane onto Shanklin Road, Sandford. 

They say cold temperatures freeze the water leaving a "sheet of ice" on the bend, just before Godshill.

In emails sent to Phil, and seen by the County Press, Island Roads has confirmed it is aware of the issue.

On January 13, it said it was "working with relevant land owners to have pipework installed" and workers would be attending to unblock gullies.

On at least three separate occasions, Andrew and Phil have had cars plough into their shared wall at the front of their properties.

From left: water running down Red Hill Lane, and a blocked drain on Shanklin Road. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Water running down Shanklin Road and and ice after freezing. (Image: Andrew Snart and Phillip Nippard)

They have reported the issue to Island Roads a number of times but they say there is still "is no evidence" to suggest anything is being done.

Phil, 71, said drains and gullies are not collecting water running down the road and some keep blocking. 

"Any surface treatment, like salt or grit is washed away," he said.

"Overnight temperatures freeze the water creating a sheet of ice.

"Drivers coming from Shanklin to Godshill lose control on the bend, downhill and collide with the wall."

Andrew, 70, said the first time they noticed there was a problem was in January 2020, when a car hit their wall and a tree.

From left: a car crashes into the wall in January 2020, and two cars hit the wall in January 2022. (Image: Andrew Snart and Phillip Nippard)

Car crashes into wall on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. (Image: Contributed)

Almost exactly two years to the date, two cars hit the wall, one after the other.

Another crash happened overnight on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. On that occasion, the pair woke up to find the wall damaged but the car had left the scene.

On Tuesday, January 16, just a day after the County Press visited Andrew and Phil, a car came round the bend, mounted the kerb and crashed into a wall opposite their homes. The driver escaped serious injury.

In total, the pair estimate they have spent upwards of £2,000 on repairs for the wall.

The wall after the crash on January 10, 2024. The car left the scene. (Image: Andrew Snart and Phillip Nippard)

Phil said: "Island Roads should be responsible for providing a safe carriageway for pedestrians and drivers and I don't have any confidence in them doing that."

The County Press contacted Island Roads for a comment but no response was received at the time of going to press.

Meanwhile, Andrew and Phil say they are in the process of setting up their own community speed watch programme, to deter speeding drivers.

Updated: 

Read more: Isle of Wight accident blackspot claims prompt Island Roads response

Island Roads has said it is working with private landowners to try to resolve drainage issues.

It said it continues to pursue the matter with 'third-parties', as it accepts further ditch clearance works are needed.