Latest news with #IsleofWightCouncil
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Motorists face disruption after Cowes to Newport road closure
Motorists have faced long delays following the closure of the main road between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight for Hill, on the edge of Newport has been closed to support the construction of 203 new homes at Acorn Farm. Tailbacks have been reported on the diversion route along Forest Cowes floating bridge began crossings an hour earlier than usual at 05:30 BST to help with connections to the Red Funnel vehicle businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on trade. A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) due to roadworks was reinstated earlier this week after being lifted for the duration of the Isle of Wight road is due to remain closed to northbound traffic until 7 July and will also be closed in both directions for the remainder of this weekend and of Wight Council previously said the diversion and one-way system, which exempts emergency vehicles and daytime buses, was needed to prevent long traffic delays between Newport and a statement, the authority added: "Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads and Captiva are working together to ensure that the works are completed in as short a time a possible to minimise the disruption." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
Horsebridge Hill reopens temporarily for Isle of Wight Festival
A road that was closed for two months in May has temporarily reopened in time for a music northbound closure of Horsebridge Hill on the Isle of Wight resulted in a seven mile (11km) diversion for vehicles travelling from Newport to Cowes, prompting concerns from residents over road safety and the impact on closure is needed to widen Horsebridge Hill and install a junction to a new estate, which Isle of Wight Council said would provide "much-needed" social 20:00 BST on Tuesday the road reopened as planned in time for the Isle of Wight Festival in Newport, with the diversion and one-way system set to be back in place by 06:00 on Tuesday 24 June. The works have been controversial, with residents concerned by the fact the diversion goes along narrow residential roads with no pavements. The roadworks are supporting the construction of 203 new homes on the site of the former Acorn far, the southbound route has remained open, but the council said there are two weekends coming up when the road will be closed in both first is to allow the installation of the sewer connections to the development, which will take place between 20:00 on Friday 27 June to 06:00 on Monday 30 second is for resurfacing works, and will take place between 20:00 on Friday 4 July and 06:00 on Monday 7 road is expected to be open as normal after that. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer
We reveal how you can find out what help you're eligible for below HELPING HAND All the areas giving out FREE white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS can get free white goods including fridges, freezers and washing machines this summer. Essential appliances aren't cheap to come by, with Which? estimating the average price of a fridge freezer is around £800. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households can get help covering the cost of white goods through a giant fund Credit: Alamy But you might be able to get help with the up front costs through a giant government fund. The Household Support Fund is worth £742million and has been distributed between councils in England. Further money has been issued to local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What help you can get and whether you qualify for support depends on where you live as each council sets its own eligibility criteria. However, in most cases you will be in line for support if you are on a low income, benefits or vulnerable. Some areas are giving hard-up residents free white goods or help towards the cost of them too. We've rounded up some of the councils offering residents help with the cost of essential household appliances. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is offering thousands of hard-up households help. Some can get help covering the cost of white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and even beds for children. The council wouldn't say how much the average price of a white good someone will receive might be. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Households requesting help must be referred to the council by someone like children's services, adult services or Age UK. You'll need to be of limited income to be referred. The criteria you must meet is: Single adult in work: Your household income must be below £26,057 (before tax and National Insurance) Two or more adults in work: Your household income must be below £38,870 (before tax and National Insurance) Your household savings must be under £2,000 If you're a pensioner, you can have savings up to £16,000 If you have received help towards the cost of white goods from Blackburn with Darwen Council in the last 12 months, you cannot get help in this latest round. More details on the scheme and how to apply are here - Isle of Wight Council Isle of Wight Council is distributing funding to local organisations to help residents pay for energy-efficient white goods like ovens and fridges. That means if you want help you will have to apply via either your local town or parish council, schools or colleges or a local charity. If you are on a low income or benefits, it's worth contacting the Isle of Wight council to see if you qualify for help. The number to contact is 01983 823644. Enfield Council Enfield Council is offering free white goods to households in need, with home delivery included. Those who qualify for help will be contacted by a supplier who will arrange for any appliances to be installed. You will need to prove you're struggling financially to apply though. To apply, you must: live in the borough of Enfield have an annual household net income of less than £40,000 have less than £1,000 in savings To find out more and apply, visit: Southend-on-Sea City Council Southend-on-Sea City Council is open for applications from hard-up residents - and households can get white goods. Households can also apply for help covering the costs of beds, bedding and clothing. You can apply for help if you're 16 or over, live in the Essex area, are on a low income and fit any one of a number of criteria. For example, one of these criteria is that you need help to ease "exceptional pressures" on yourself and your family. Another is that you cannot meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency like a fire or flood in your home. For more details and to apply, visit Barking and Dagenham Council Barking and Dagenham Council is distributing support to residents through a number of means including help towards the cost of white goods. The council has said help will only be given to those who need an appliance due to an emergency. To be eligible you need to be living in the borough and struggling with rising living costs like food and energy bills. You also need to prove you have previously taken steps to boost your income by claiming council tax support, housing benefit, Universal Credit or another benefit. More details can be found via What to do if you live outside these areas If you don't live in one of the above areas, check your local council's website to see what help you can get. You might not be able to get help covering the cost of white goods but may be eligible for other help. For example, Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those on benefits. Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit. You can find what council area you fall under via Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. The last round ran until the end of March 2025, but was extended. The most current round is running between April 2025 and March 2026. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Scam warning over Household Support Fund
This article is from Sally Ash, IW Against Scams Partnership, and relates scam warnings connected to the Household Support Fund: The recent extension of the Department for Work and Pensions' Household Support Fund will indeed bring much-needed relief to vulnerable island households, but it also comes with the risk of scammers exploiting the situation. It's crucial for residents to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of any communication they receive regarding support. The Isle of Wight Council has been actively administering genuine support schemes through this fund. In recent months, they have assisted over 1,100 pensioner households with £75 towards utility costs and provided £25 supermarket vouchers to 290 households in financial crisis. If you have applied for utility or food support through the Isle of Wight Council or a partner organisation, you will receive a pre-paid card or voucher via email from noreply@ If you do not redeem the support, a reminder will be sent from support@ Personal details will never be requested via text or email, and bank details are not required for genuine support. For any doubts about the legitimacy of a message, you can contact the Partnerships and Support Services team at 823644 or via hsf@ A list of partner organisations involved in the scheme can be found on the Isle of Wight Council's webpage, Food vouchers and housing, HSF. You can also call the council's main contact centre on 821000 and ask for the team, if you are unsure. Stay safe and ensure you verify any communication to protect yourself from potential scams. Reporting a scam • For advice on scams call - Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 250 5050 • To report a scam call - Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 For more information on scams visit
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Re-elected council leader motivated by devolution
A council leader who survived a narrow re-election has said he is motivated to "finish the job" he started on devolution. Councillor Phil Jordan stays in charge of Isle of Wight Council following a tied vote on Wednesday. Councillor Ed Blake, leader of the Conservative group of councillors, received the same amount of support but lost out on a casting vote. East Cowes Councillor Karl Love was ousted as chair of the council after being replaced by Binstead and Fishbourne's councillor Ian Dore. Mr Jordan, the head of County Hall's Alliance group, has been a keen supporter of devolution and local government reorganisation. The changes will transfer powers and funding away from central government and allow decisions to be made locally. Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, along with Hampshire County Council and the Isle of Wight, voted to accept the government's offer to create a combined mayoral authority earlier this year. Mr Jordan said it was "vital" to maintain "consistency and continuity in our relationships and establish the best deal for our island in our negotiations with government". He continued: "This is a pivotal moment for our Island, and we have less than a year to get the best outcomes, the best funding, the best transfer of powers and the key asks I have already made, such as oversight of the ferries and additional funding for the island in a fair funding settlement. "It is not the moment for someone to be learning on the job or having doubts about the past two years of intense work. "Our island comes first, before personal wishes or aspirations and I am confident, and best placed, that I can deliver the best outcome for the Isle of Wight." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Differing views as devolution plans progress Council mergers a 'threat', Portsmouth leader says Island must retain own council, devolution plan says Councils to submit joint mayor and devolution plan Isle of Wight Council
