Only around 14 per cent of a three-year-old Ministry of Justice (MOJ) grant has been spent by County Hall on maintaining Newport’s prison estate roads.
The Isle of Wight Council said £869,000 has so far been spent out of a total budget of £6.3 million – on street lighting upgrades and drainage surveys.
County Hall struck a deal with the MOJ in April 2021 to take over responsibility for the upkeep of prison estate roads on the edge of Newport.
Questions have been asked as to what has happened to the money given to the council.
A spokesperson for the council said:
“It has been spent upgrading the street lighting and surveys to determine the condition of the drains taking surface water from the roads.”
As to what will happen to the remaining unspent funds, the spokesperson continued:
“In priority order – to carry out any necessary repairs to the drainage network to ensure it is fit for purpose, to repair the road surface and potholes where necessary, to remove unnecessary street furniture.
“The £6.3m is held in an earmarked reserve and drawn down when spent/needed.
“There is no budget line in 24/25 as we are still waiting for the outcome of the tender process.”
The deal provoked a mixed reaction when it was first announced over three years ago.
Though described as a “major win” by the then Isle of Wight Conservative administration, other councillors expressed disquiet that the £6.3 million received would not be enough to maintain the roads.
Soon after the £6.3 million figure was first announced, Richard Quigley said: “The Ministry of Justice has “offered” the £6.3m. How much will the work actually cost?
“My concern is that the total bill will exceed that amount.
“In a rush to give good news before the local elections, they could be saddling the Island with more problems.
“I think we deserve to see what the full cost of the work will be.”
Councillor Andrew Garratt said County Hall had stated it could take “two years” to carry out the work.
When the deal was being agreed with the MOJ in March 2021, residents were reportedly keen to see work on the roads happen after 40 years of neglect.
The representative for Parkhurst and Hunnyhill said at the time:
“I hope no one will let this once in a generation offer slip through their fingers.”
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