Parkhurst prison roads deal: How much will Isle of Wight get?

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), which is looking to do a deal for the council to take over the neglected, potholed highways, is citing commercial confidentiality in asking the council not to disclose how much it is willing to pay the authority to take them on.

With an MoJ set deadline of March 31 looming, the council has put the brake on an agreement.

Published minutes of a private session at last week’s IW Council cabinet meeting say after lengthy discussion, members wanted further confirmation about how the most significant risks would be mitigated.

The recommendation from officers was changed from accepting the MoJ's terms to 'undertaking further negotiations with the government body, with a view to acquire the relevant land on acceptable terms.'

In the officers' report, concern was raised about ongoing maintenance costs which the MoJ would not pay for — the one-off payment would only address the immediate disrepair.

The council would, if it took on the land, need to work out how to fund future work as the estate cannot be included in the Highways PFI contract.

The prison estates. (Image: Google Maps)

Due to the non-standard construction of the roads there they cannot be brought up to adoptable standard — to do so would need total reconstruction, which is not feasible under the MoJ's offer.

Leader of the council, Cllr Dave Stewart said officers had been continuing discussions with the MoJ following the recommendation.

The final decision will be made by the council's directors of regeneration and finance along with the appropriate cabinet members.

Cllr Stewart said the ultimate ambition was to also acquire the Camp Hill prison, for housing but more 'due diligence' was needed for the best outcome.

The now unused Camp Hill prison.

"On one hand," Cllr Stewart said, "the deal would be very good for us, as part of our progression to Camp Hill.

"On the other hand we know we must not overstep the mark. We are financially very tight — we have done well but we are not a rich council and the MoJ needs to appreciate our financial resources are limited.

"I am interested in this, not just financially but also the value for the community but we have also got to manage expectation as well ... sometimes we get caught out promising the world and we cannot deliver."

In the officers' report, concern was raised about ongoing maintenance costs which the MoJ would not pay for — the one-off payment would only address the immediate disrepair.

Postern Road, part of the prison estate.

Parkhurst Cllr Andrew Garratt said residents were cautiously optimistic as deals have been offered, and not, materialised before. With the prison estates facing almost 40 years of neglect, however, residents would like to see work happen.

He said:

"I hope no one will let this once in a generation offer slip through their fingers for the sake of one or two issues that can be resolved by the council in the future."