TRAVEL WOES FOR REVELLERS AS POLICE CLOSE ROAD …

Travel chaos is expected on the other side of the Solent this morning (Thursday) as a result of Police closing the main road outside Red Funnel’s terminal in Southampton – just as thousands of people descend on the Island for the Isle of Wight Festival.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary say they are currently dealing with an ‘incident’ along Town Quay. There are reports of fallen power cables.

Due to the nature of the incident, the Police say that they have had to close Town Quay from Bugle Street to High Street.

It’s unclear at this early stage whether access is still possible to both the vehicle ferry and Red Jet terminals; but disruption is expected in any eventuality with lengthy queues in the city.

This will undoubtedly affect those leaving the Island too and may cause delays to the published ferry timetables.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if at all possible, but today marks 1 of the busiest days for cross-Solent operator Red Funnel as Festival revellers descend at the start of this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

UPDATE @ 08:13 – It is understood that a crash involving a lorry has brought power cables down across the carriageway – the A33.

Access to the car ferry terminal is from the Mayflower Park side of the closure only. Access to the Red Jet is still possible as normal as it is outside of the Police cordon.

Traffic is heavy in the area so travellers should expect delays.

UPDATE @ 08:32 – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that the road has now re-opened.

However, Red Funnel is running with 10-20 minute delays due to an earlier medical emergency.

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References

1. ^{^} here (www.islandecho.co.uk)