Road closure 'could end my pub', says landlord

Matthew Westwood is landlord of the Stag Inn which sits at the heart of the road closure

A pub landlord has said the effect of a two-month road closure "could see the very end" of his business.

The major route on the Isle of Wight has been closed one-way to traffic travelling northbound from Newport to Cowes since last Monday.

Matthew Westwood, landlord of the Stag Inn, said over three days "we saw two people through the doors".

Isle of Wight Council said it "does not have the facility to provide for financial assistance to businesses due to roadworks".

'Catastrophic effect'

Vehicles have been forced to take a more than seven-mile diversion to avoid the works, which aims to widen Horsebridge Hill and install a junction to a new housing estate.

"It's had a massive impact," Mr Westwood said.

"There's more tumble weeds than there are cars using the main road as everybody is using the diversion road in both directions, taking business seven miles out of the way..."

He said compared to figures from last year at the same time it was having a "catastrophic effect".

A seven-mile diversion is in place northbound from Newport to Cowes

Mr Westwood has contacted the local authority to enquire about receiving some support but said the "answer I got was no, there won't be any business relief at all".

He wants people to know businesses are still open and accessible on the main arterial road.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "During temporary roadworks there is no facility for business rates relief to be claimed from the utility company or developer who is carrying out the work.

"The council does not have the facility to provide for financial assistance to businesses due to roadworks.

"For example, Ventnor businesses did not receive payments of this nature when Leeson Road was closed for six months as alternative routes were available.

"Horsebridge Hill has a diversion in place where the business is still accessible from Cowes to Newport by passing traffic and also local traffic flowing north of Nicholson Street."

The council added for any form of compensation to be considered a report from an insurer's loss adjuster would have to demonstrate the roadworks alone were having a detrimental impact on a business.