Isle of Wight Councillors have called for officers to investigate changes to Chapel Street, Newport. Picture by Peter Boam.
CAMPAIGNERS pressing for changes to a Newport one-way system were given a boost last night (Wednesday) by an Isle of Wight Council scrutiny panel.
Members of the economy and environment scrutiny panel rejected a recommendation from officers not to re-open Chapel Street to traffic coming from New Street to St James’s Street.
They instead voted in favour of an alternative recommendation, put forward by Cllr John Hobart, who has campaigned for the road system to change.
He said: "Over just a few weeks we gathered 3,200 signatures, not only from local residents but from people as far away as Freshwater.
"To people who live in this part of Newport, Carisbrooke and westwards, the no entry closure is akin to the Berlin Wall, dividing the town in two."
The recommendation, passed by three votes to one, called for officers to make detailed plans for how changes could be introduced and submit them to cabinet member for highways Cllr Edward Giles for consideration.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk