Many people driving home from work on Tuesday afternoon were caught short when heavy snow fell across the Island.

As became obvious over the following days, many of those drivers had to abandon their cars and make their way home by alternative means and have not been able to return to move their vehicles.

The Isle of Wight Council announced on Wednesday that they would take a reasonable and flexible approach to cars left at the side of the roads or in car parks that couldn’t be moved due to the conditions.

However, they and the police are now urging anyone who has an abandoned car to consider moving it if it is obstructing the highway as soon as it is safe to do so.

They remind us that cars obstructing the highway can hinder the gritting programme. In addition, once a car is moved, it leaves behind it ‘islands’ of compacted ice and snow that can cause a hazard on otherwise clear stretches of highways.

Isle of Wight Police Operations Inspector Terry Clawson said: “Police are continuing to work closely with partner agencies to maintain public safety in the adverse weather conditions.

“Officers are giving particular attention to supporting Isle of Wight Council’s efforts to keep as many main roads gritted and passable.

“If your vehicle is abandoned on a main road and you think it’s going to cause problems for other motorists, please arrange for the vehicle to be moved as soon as it is safe to do so, and let the police know where it is by calling us on 101.

“Police have already moved a number of abandoned vehicles from locations on the island where they were causing an obstruction and hazard to traffic. The details of these vehicles are recorded so their owners can be informed.

“The advice to the public is still to only make journeys by vehicle that are essential while the weather creates hazardous road surface conditions.

“Officers will continue extra patrols in 4 x 4 vehicles over the weekend to assist members of the public in emergency and life threatening situations.

“Two men, one with circulatory problems and another with a hole in the heart were transported from temporary accommodation in Ryde, which was snowed in, and taken to their home in Freshwater where their medication was. A police 4×4 vehicle crewed by PC Nick Massey, PC Paul Spreadbury and Inspector Bill Pinnell responded to a call for assistance and took them across the island. The roads were badly obstructed by icy and snow. The four wheel drive vehicle was the only safe way to transport the people. Their carers were grateful for the investment in time and effort to bring these people into a safe and familiar location with the medication they required.”

Peter Hayward, IW Council head of highways and transport said: “The advice remains that we do not want people to undertake unnecessary journeys nor expose themselves and other road users to risks by attempting to move an abandoned vehicle if it is unsafe to do so.

“Nevertheless we would urge them to think carefully about retrieving vehicles in a safe way particularly given the assistance the police are offering.”

Image: Jason Swain
Photography

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