Chris Jarman for Totland & Colwell

09/09/2026

Emergency Services Day

My great privilege to attend the raising at County Hall this morning of the Emergency Services Day flag.

I am there as a Counsellor, but also to represent my dad who dedicated himself to the improvement of ambulance training and the launch of the paramedic service. 

A humble reminder of their dedicated service, often under trying conditions.

Heroes, one and all.

07/09/2026

Great question from Joe Robertson MP.

Disappointing that Angela Rainer MP would not give assurance that Isle of Wight Council will remain a Standalone Independent Unitary Authority rather than being (sub)merged within a mainland body.

Again we are left in doubt at the whim of central government.

07/09/2026

If you are heading for Newport please note:

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE - Forest Road Newport

Forest Road between its junction with Gunvfille Road and its junction with Betty Haunt Lane, for a distance
of 1458 metres.

DIVERSION ROUTE(S): The diversion will affect these streets: Gunville Road, Carisbrooke High Street, Calbourne Road, Sun Hill, Elm Lane, Yarmouth Road.

PERIOD OF CLOSURE: From 18:21 hours on 6th September 2026, for a maximum period of five days or until works are complete, whichever is sooner.

07/09/2026

Pound Green Planning Application (yet another version)

I’ve received a number of very angry representations from residents regarding the Planning Application on the meadow adjacent to Pound Green.

Several had noticed the revised dates and additional documents from the applicant developer, having already submitted their comments during the consultation period, Those comments included representations from the local parish council and other bodies.

Explaining as best I could, it is a perverse, and many would say unfair, characteristic of our current planning system, that a perspective developer can resubmit plans without a decision having been made on an earlier application. Residents expect a determination of each application on its own merits, and not an eternal cycle of extensions and changes to applications upon which they’ve already made submissions!

I appreciate the anger that people are feeling on what is without doubt a very one-sided process.

The details of the new application and its extended timeframe (without determination of the previous one) are below.

05/09/2026

Spot on Chris Hinchliff MP.

Give the power back to communities, and out residents before profits.

03/09/2026

Alarm bells rung by CycleWight

Plans to create a new walking and cycling route linking Freshwater, Yarmouth, Newport and Ryde could be only partially completed by a key 2028 deadline.

03/09/2026

The footpath across Afton Marsh from Blackbridge Road to the junction with footpath F36 is temporarily closed while Gift to Nature undertake works on Afton Marsh. (Red on map below).

The closure will be for approximately four weeks. This may be changed depending on progress of the works.

31/08/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

I have been involved in a few brainstorming sessions over the past week as to potential savings Isle of Wight Council can make to deliver a structurally balanced budget going forward.

Many will have seen in the press that we are about £12m adrift this year and forecast to be about £40m next year. The cuts and unfair funding of Isle of Wight by central government over the past decade have been met by rounds of annual cuts and service level reductions.

All for Islanders and friends spent another 3 hours yesterday looking at ideas, and I was with others doing the same this afternoon.

I, All for Islanders, and our friends, are a small number. Those following me on Facebook are very many more. These are very challenging times for IWC and delivering a budget that balances a £40m gap demands that we listen to all suggestions.

So, thinking caps on and brainstorming time please!

29/08/2026

Update: Freshwater-Yarmouth Causeway Repairs.

Thanks to Bill Freshwater of Cllr Yarmouth Town Council for these very concerning pictures of the causeway today. They show the path almost submerged and the seawater flooding through.

Status advised:
The initial collapse was reported in the first half of December 2025.
The repair design solution was requested in April 2026 and submitted to IWC in June 2026.
The purchase order has been issued and that the works will be scheduled late this summer.

Let's hope it hold together until then!

29/08/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭: 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐃.

Any of you will have noticed we had half an inch of rain today (about 13mm)

Sadly, Southern Water’s infrastructure was again not able to cope, and multiple discharges are occurring throughout our area.

There is an Environment Agency alert for Colwell Bay, bathing water warnings for Totland Bay, and spills backing up from Norton Transfer by the Yar Bridge to School Green Road and Bow Bridge.

More rain is due later today, tonight and tomorrow.