A-Z Council Services


FInd us on Facebook

FInd us on Twitter

Click here to read the One Island Magazine

Children and Young Peoples Services

Services for Adults on the Isle of Wight

Highways Maintenance


Service Description: Road repairs are undertaken to extend the residual life of the network and improve riding quality. There are 492 miles of roads, together with pavements (footways) and paved pedestrian areas on the Island that we try to ensure are properly maintained and safe to use. These include defect inspections by resident inspectors at set intervals, as well as mechanised surveys that help to establish structural and surface condition of the roads. Every year a programme is drawn up of major repairs based on the views of County, Town and Parish Councillors, along with community views and reports from Highway Inspectors. Priority is give to those roads that are in urgent need of repair, and have the most use. The Isle of Wight Council is responsible for protecting the public from dangers caused by the misuse and abuse of the highway; these can be obstructions on the highway such as overhanging trees, overgrown hedges and unauthorised skips and scaffolding.

Also known as:- Carriageway and Footway Maintenance, Carriageway Reconstruction, Cats Eyes, Charity Permits, Damaged Road Signs, Defects, Faulty Streetlights, Highways Defect, Obstructions, Ragwort (On Highways Verges), Re-Kerbing, Re-surfacing, Repainting Lines, Roadside Ditches, Sandbags, Wasps-Public Land (Defect)

Your FAQ

Question: What does the council do to control weeds on the highway?

Answer: Weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted. Weed growth detracts from the overall appearance of an area and traps litter and detritus. Growth in road gullies and channels can slow down or prevent free drainage and therefore presents a safety hazard. Weed growth can damage paved surfaces, displace kerb stones and crack walls, all of which make maintenance difficult and costly.

All hard surfaced areas of adopted highway are treated to control weed growth. Residential streets, Council owned car parks, urban footpaths and pedestrianised areas are treated. The whole of the highway is treated including kerbs, gullies, around street furniture, footways (pavement) and the carriageway.

The Isle of Wight Council works in partnership with Wyevale Grounds Maintenance to provide the weed spraying service as part of the Integrated Grounds Maintenance Contract.

Herbicide is applied to areas of weed growth 3 times a year in April/May, June/July and September. The applications are timed to coincide with weed growth for maximum control. Where necessary, once the growth has died back, the dead plants are removed.


Has this FAQ answered your query?
 - If you still have a query please use the "Send a Message" button above.


Frequently Asked Questions for this Service