Sandown Town Council - Isle of Wight

08/09/2026

Island Roads asks for residents’ views as it launches annual customer survey

Island Roads is asking residents for their views about the highway services it provides as part of its annual customer survey.

The survey opens on Tuesday 1 September giving residents the chance to rate and comment on a wide range of highway services. These include road and footway maintenance and resurfacing, winter service, street cleansing, traffic management, grass and verge cutting and customer services.

The survey comes after another busy year of investment and road improvements by Island Roads across all four corners of the Island including works in Ryde, Ventnor, Sandown, Wroxall, Brading, Binstead, East Cowes, Freshwater, and Newport. A further seven kilometres were also resurfaced later in the year, following the annual condition survey.

Island Roads has also continued to deliver improvements in other parts of the Island including cycle tracks like those at Cement Mills Viaduct, pedestrian safety improvements, in conjunction with Isle of Wight Council, for example at Hale Common and Military Road near Grange Farm, protection measures and improvements to bridges and walls Island-wide and ongoing highway maintenance throughout the year.

It also comes after a busy year of investment and programmes from utility companies who were responsible for 70% of the roadworks on the Island and who are providing vital services and maintaining and improving connections for local residents.

Island Roads Service Director Stephen Ashman said: “It has been an incredibly busy year on the Island’s road network, and we want to hear the views and experiences of residents to help us understand where we need to focus our efforts in the coming year.

“We have listened to what people have told us in the past and we are doing more to collaborate with utility companies when we plan our works to try and ease traffic congestion. We have also improved our website so that people can find information more easily and we are working to try and improve our signage on site to help people navigate roadworks.

“We know there is still more to do, and we are working hard to address issues that are raised with us. Your feedback is an important part of how we assess our performance and helps us to understand where we need to focus our efforts in the future.

“We would encourage as many people as possible to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Whether you have positive feedback, constructive criticism, or simply want to tell us about your experience, we want to hear from you.”

The survey also asks residents about the use of reporting tools such as Fix My Street and about Island Roads’ wider contribution to the local community including the work of the Isle of Wight Foundation which is separately funded and which has awarded grants of over £900,000 to local community projects to date.

The 2026 customer survey will run from Tuesday 1 September until midnight on Wednesday 30 September 2026 and can be completed online via the Island Roads website www.islandroads.com/home/customer-survey-2026

Paper copies of the survey, including large print versions are also available on request by emailing [email protected]

The survey comes ahead of some major work on the road network in September to strengthen and improve the bridge forming the dual carriageway at Medina Way and upgrades to bus stops in Arreton to improve safety and accessibility for bus users.

Each year we carry out a customer survey asking residents to feedback on the services we provide, as part of our work to improve the highway network on the Island.

01/09/2026

Historic Sandown Telephone Box Restored and Reopened as Community Library

PRESS RELEASE

Sandown Town Council is delighted to announce the official opening of a beautifully restored 1930s telephone box from Sandown Railway Station, which has been transformed into a community library for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The restoration project has been made possible through the dedication and hard work of Stephen Partridge and Mark Gray of Sandown Town Council, together with the support of Dempsey's Isle of Wight, who kindly assisted with the delivery and relocation of the historic kiosk. Project Management was provided by Councillor Debbie Andre and PCSO Ashley Webb, helping to bring this community initiative to life.

The restored telephone box was officially opened by Deputy Mayor Councillor Joan Solomon, who welcomed the latest addition to the Broadway Centre and praised the collaborative effort behind the project.

The new library is expected to be widely used by Broadway Centre community groups, residents, and visitors. An array of books has been generously donated by Town Clerk Jennifer Armstrong, providing a varied selection for readers of all ages. Residents are encouraged to borrow, exchange, and donate books to keep the collection fresh and diverse, with a particular need for children's books.

Speaking about the project, Sandown Town Council said:
"We are thrilled to see this historic telephone box given a new lease of life at the heart of our community. This wonderful project preserves an important piece of local heritage whilst creating an accessible reading resource for everyone to enjoy."

The initiative is particularly timely as 2026 has been designated National Reading Year, highlighting the importance of literacy, learning, and a lifelong love of reading. The council hopes the library will encourage more people, especially children and families, to discover the enjoyment and benefits of books. This unique library is a wonderful addition to the Broadway Centre and demonstrates how historic community assets can be repurposed to meet modern needs while enriching local life

20/08/2026

Free Skin Cancer Checks Delivered at The Broadway Centre, Sandown.
Sandown Town Council was pleased to welcome The Lighthouse Clinic to the Broadway Centre, where local residents were offered free, confidential skin cancer checks as part of a community health initiative.
The drop in sessions were delivered in partnership with The Lighthouse Clinic and supported by the Sandown Beach Lifeguards, who regularly promote sun safety awareness along the seafront. The aim of the event was to encourage early detection of skin changes and to make preventative healthcare more accessible to residents and visitors.
Throughout the day, attendees received professional assessments, advice on monitoring moles and sun exposed areas, and guidance on when to seek further medical support. The initiative was particularly welcomed by those who work outdoors or spend extended time on the beach during the summer months.
Malcolm White, General Manager from The Lighthouse Clinic said “We are delighted with the turnout and want to emphasise just how important community based screening opportunities are.” Sandown Town Council extends its thanks to the clinic team and the lifeguards for their continued commitment to local wellbeing.
The council hopes to host further sessions in the future as part of its ongoing work to support public health, early intervention, and accessible community services.

19/08/2026

We’re committed to keeping our communities safe, well and informed and our prevention and protection work plays a large role in this.

17/08/2026

Sandown Town Council Installs New Public Water Fountain to Help Reduce Plastic Waste

Sandown, Isle of Wight – Sandown Town Council is pleased to announce the installation of a new public water fountain and bottle filling station in Eastern Gardens, adjacent to the Changing Places facility, providing residents and visitors with free access to drinking water while helping to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

The project supports efforts to protect the coastal and marine environment by encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and reducing plastic litter that can find its way into the sea. Located within easy reach of Sandown’s popular seafront, Eastern Gardens, the fountain is ideally positioned for beach users, walkers, cyclists, families and tourists visiting the town.

The installation aligns closely with the aims of the Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund, which supports projects that help prevent marine litter and reduce the negative impacts of plastic waste on coastal habitats and wildlife. The fund, supported by Bunzl plc, provides funding towards the purchase of water fountain units at publicly accessible coastal locations across the UK.

The new fountain in Eastern Gardens has been placed in a highly visible and accessible location close to the beachfront, where it is expected to receive significant public use throughout the year and particularly during the busy summer season. By providing a convenient refill point, Sandown Town Council hopes to encourage more people to carry reusable bottles and make sustainable choices when enjoying the town’s seafront.

A spokesperson for Sandown Town Council said:

“The Council is committed to improving facilities for residents and visitors while taking practical steps to protect our coastal environment. The new water fountain in Eastern Gardens provides free drinking water in a convenient location and will help reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. We are delighted to support initiatives that promote sustainability and help keep our beaches and public spaces free from litter.”

The Council has ensured that appropriate arrangements are in place for the ongoing maintenance of the fountain, helping to secure its long-term use and benefit to the community.

The fountain’s location next to the Changing Places facility further enhances accessibility, ensuring that a wider range of residents and visitors can benefit from this important public amenity.

Sandown Town Council encourages everyone using the seafront and surrounding areas to bring a reusable water bottle and make use of the new facility.

05/08/2026

SURVEY

Sandown Town Council is seeking to understand the impact of Southern Waters existing Waste Water Treatment Plant Odour on residents and business ahead of its Planning Committee Meeting on Monday where the proposed new recycling plant will be considered.

Please hare your views via the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BVZNTJD

29/07/2026

This summer we have teamed up with Sandown Town Council - Isle of Wight to help 'Start the Conversation' about the future of Sandown Skatepark.
Every Friday between 4-6pm starting this week (31st), drop by the park and share your views.
There will be some concept design ideas to look at, plus different activities each week.
🛹 Skateboard Tips & Tricks 31st & 28th
🛴 Scooter Tips & Tricks 7th & 21st
🚴‍♂️ BMX meet up 14th Aug
🎨 Graffiti Workshops 7th, 14th, 21st.

So head over to the park 4pm-6pm to be part of the conversation.
See you there.

29/07/2026

24/07/2026

SANDOWN SEA LIFE: DIVE IN! The vibrant world beneath the waves of Sandown Bay has been brought vividly to life, transforming the former Savoy site hoardings into a bright public gallery!

Local Sandown illustrator Katie Stone has created a stunning four-panel artistic mesh screen that showcases the rich variety of marine life thriving right on our doorstep in the Bay.

Walking past, you’ll spot native species including:
• 🦑 Cuttlefish & Common Squid
• 🦈 Nursehounds & Blonde Rays
• 🐟 European Seabass & Mackerel
• 🌊 By-the-Wind Sailors, Goose Barnacles, Sea Mice & Weaver Fish

Instead of plain construction fencing, residents and visitors can now enjoy a colourful celebration of local ecology and community talent every time they pass by.

Katie Stone, Illustrator:
"I loved working on this project to bring Sandown’s underwater world to life on dry land! Sandown Bay is so full of incredible marine species, and my goal was to create something bright and educational that celebrates our local coast."

Tracy Mikich, Sandown Town Councillor:
"This has been a super partnership project and it has been great working with Katie to highlight not only our sea life, but also the talent of local artists who are committed to making a difference to our town."

Mayor Alex Lightfoot added his thanks to the owners for working with the community on this initiative.

Take a stroll past the former Savoy site to check it out! 🔗 Discover more of Katie’s work at kjsdoodleprints.co.uk | Supported by Sandown Town Council.