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Traffic On most summer weekends long queues form in Fishbourne Lane and the approach roads to it from Binstead and Wootton. Because the road is narrow this seriously impedes the flow of local traffic. Whilst the road is marked with three lanes for half its length to enable local people to avoid the queue going down to the ferry, large vehicles frequently straddle the lanes (especially as they enter the terminal) effectively blocking the lower part of the lane. Vehicles (some weighing 35 tons) frequently exceed the speed limit, rushing to catch the ferries. This obviously causes considerable danger to residents and the incessant vibration is damaging properties in Fishbourne Lane.
It is hard to imagine a more unsuitable site for a major ferry terminal bringing well over a million vehicles a year to the Island. Traffic is brought onto a narrow residential road which in turn empties out onto the busiest and most congested road on the Island-the Ryde to Newport road. Road widening and by-passes are not the answer- the Island is too small for such schemes. To introduce such a density of traffic to one point on the Island's road system benefits no one-no one except Wightlink. They pay no landing fees at Fishbourne, so continued expansion there has minimum impact on cost and maximum on profit. If Wightlink wishes to expand its operation further it must begin to look for an additional site. Fishbourne and Wootton Creek are being exploited to destruction. |
Noise and nuisance The noise of the ferries and the various forms of noise generated in the terminal have heen a continual source of complaint for many years in what is clearly a residential area. The main causes of annoyance are: · the noise of the ramp being lowered and hitting the dock. The repeated noise of the vehicles, particularly heavy lorries, going across the ramp, which (with its metal to metal contact) is always accompanied by a loud crash-which can he heard a mile away! · the excessive volume of repeated p.a. announcements made on the vessels and in the marshalling area · the noise of refrigerated units left running for hours at night · the excessive whining noise of tractor units, especially at night and the crash when they engage with lorry trailers · the noise and vibration of 35 ton lorries going up and down Fishbourne Lane · the ferry terminal lights, which are too high and ill-directed · testing of the fire alarms most Sunday mornings from 8am onwards with each ferry that arrives · noise of engineering works in the terminal (without notice or consultation). Two recent examples: pile driving at 3.30am, and demolition of the kiosks in the early morning. Many of these problems could be eradicated or significantly reduced if Wightlink changed their philosophy and became more aware of their social responsibilities. They have recently claimed they wish 'to work very hard to be a good neighbour'. Given the long history of complaints made about Wightlink over the years one would think that in designing a new ferry, quiet operation would he close to the top of their agenda. When asked for an assurance that the new ferry would he quieter in operation than the existing ones, Wightlink could give no such assurance! |
