Controversial roadworks paused for festival

The new junction will provide access to the Horsebridge Hill development

A road that was closed for two months in May has temporarily reopened in time for a music festival.

The northbound closure of Horsebridge Hill on the Isle of Wight resulted in a seven mile (11km) diversion for vehicles travelling from Newport to Cowes, prompting concerns from residents over road safety and the impact on businesses.

The closure is needed to widen Horsebridge Hill and install a junction to a new estate, which Isle of Wight Council said would provide "much-needed" social housing.

At 20:00 BST on Tuesday the road reopened as planned in time for the Isle of Wight Festival in Newport, with the diversion and one-way system set to be back in place by 06:00 on Tuesday 24 June.

The works have been controversial, with residents concerned by the fact the diversion goes along narrow residential roads with no pavements.

During the closure, a seven-mile diversion was in place northbound from Newport to Cowes

The roadworks are supporting the construction of 203 new homes on the site of the former Acorn Farm.

So far, the southbound route has remained open, but the council said there are two weekends coming up when the road will be closed in both directions.

The first is to allow the installation of the sewer connections to the development, which will take place between 20:00 on Friday 27 June to 06:00 on Monday 30 June.

The second is for resurfacing works, and will take place between 20:00 on Friday 4 July and 06:00 on Monday 7 July.

The road is expected to be open as normal after that.