Friendly Cabs

03/06/2026

A PARTLY SUNNY WEDNESDAY – 03/06/2026

Good morning, everyone! After a damp morning, the Met Office is forecasting broken cloud and sun from 13.00 onwards. Temperatures will range from 14 to 17 degrees C, accompanied by moderate and variable SW winds, with localised gusts of 40mph plus.

All island travel services appear to be running to schedule, as of 07.15 this morning, and there are no further reported problems with either our roads or traffic.

Friendly Cabs is open and operating normally. We wish you all a wonderful Wednesday! 01983 506975

https://friendlycabs.co.uk/a-partly-sunny-wednesday-03-06-2026/

02/06/2026

NOW BACK IN SERVICE - TUESDAY 02/06/2026 (15.30) - FLOATING BRIDGE SUSPENDED

No information as to why. Was just turned away on the Cowes side.

02/06/2026

TUESDAY 02/06/2026 - HOVER TRAVEL TO TRIAL NEW LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT ROUTE

Politicians welcome a trial of a new hovercraft route, which aims to improve cross-Solent travel.

02/06/2026

A DAMP TUESDAY – 02/06/2026

Good morning, everyone! After a mostly dry morning (we currently have rain in East Cowes 😁), the Met Office is forecasting rain showers from midday onwards. Temperatures will range from 14 to 18 degrees C, accompanied by light to moderate WSW winds.

All island travel services appear to be running to schedule, as of 07.45 this morning, and there are no further reported problems with either our roads or traffic.

Friendly Cabs is open and operating normally. We wish you all a terrific Tuesday! 01983 506975

https://friendlycabs.co.uk/a-damp-tuesday-02-06-2026/

02/06/2026

TUESDAY 02/06/2026 - FAIRLEE ROAD, NEWPORT TO BECOME ONE WAY DURING THE NIGHTS THIS WEEK

New roadworks on Fairlee Road in Newport begin today (Tuesday, June 2), with a one-way system in place overnight this week.

The improvement works, which will be carried out between 7.30pm and the early hours, are expected to be completed on Thursday night.

Roadworks will take place at two locations - one at the junction with the dual carriageway link road, and the other near Hillside.

Traffic heading out of Newport towards East Cowes and Ryde will be diverted via Staplers Road.

An Island Roads spokesperson previously said it was "not feasible" to undertake this work during the April road closure, as it would have left residents living between the two worksites unable to drive to and from their homes.

The spokesperson added: "By working at night, we are aiming to reduce inconvenience to road users and we hope that this essential work will be delivered with minimal disruption."

Via County Press

01/06/2026

MONDAY 01/06/2026 (08.00) - FALLEN TREE CAUSING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ON MIDDLE ROAD

Drivers are advised to take extra care on Middle Road in Calbourne this morning due to a fallen tree. The County Press understands a lorry has attempted to pass under the tree, but could not fit. Motorists travelling east towards Newport are currently blocked.

Image Credit - County Press

01/06/2026

MONDAY 01/06/2026 - A MUCH APPRECIATED HALF TERM BREAK

Good morning, everyone! I hope all parents, students and families have had a lovely half-term break and are now refreshed for the second half of the term.

For the benefit of new followers (we've recently broken through the 1500 follower mark), Friendly Cabs operates slightly differently to most taxi companies on the island. As well as providing a standard taxi service, we specialise in SEN (Special Educational Needs) transport. I've learnt Makaton Sign Language and have undertaken many studies in autism and other special needs, to better help me meet the needs of those who use our service.

As a result, Friendly Cabs is the preferred taxi service for the island SEN schools and parents. During the term time we drive students every day. These contracts are not the council school run contracts but, instead, with the schools and parents themselves, and tend to cover trips back and forth to various SEN provisions around the island.

As such, the only time we can take a break is when the schools do, so during half term holidays we also close for a week and a much needed rest.

This half term, as well as catching up on admin jobs, I spent 3 lovely days with my dog at Grange Farm in Brightstone. The weather for camping was perfect and it was a great time to just be still for a while. The dog's batteries probably didn't need charging 😁 but mine did and they now are! I look forward to welcoming our students again today! 👍

01/06/2026

MONDAY 01/06/2026 - SOUTHERN VECTIS BUS SERVICE UPDATES

❗️Route 8/22/68- Newport Road closed from 06:30 on the 1st of June until 17:30 on the 12th of June

Today 06:30 - 12th Jun 2026

Affected routes: 8, 22, 68

Affected stops:

Apse Heath Crossroads, E-bound
Apse Heath Crossroads, W-bound
Cheverton Shute, E-bound
Cheverton Shute, W-bound
Sandown Airport, W-bound
Sandown Airport, E-bound

Route 8/22/68- Newport Road closed from 06:30 on the 1st of June until 17:30 on the 12th of June.

Buses towards Ryde will divert from Winford via Canteen Road, Whiteley Bank, Shanklin (like a Route 2), Landguard Road and then loop around to serve Lake Morrisons.

This diversion will operate in both directions. Stops between Apse Heath Crossroads and Sandown Airport can not be served.

❗️Route 71 - The Broadway, Sandown is closed from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June.

31st May 2026 - 3rd Jun 2026

Affected routes: 71

Affected stops:

The Heights, N-bound
Ferndale Court, NE-bound
Ferndale Court, SW-bound
Station Avenue, NE-bound
Station Avenue, SW-bound
Grove Road, NE-bound
Grove Road, SW-bound
The Cloisters, NE-bound
The Cloisters, SW-bound

The Route 71 is on diversion due to The Broadway in Sandown being closed.

The road will be closed from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June.

The Route 71 towards Sandown will divert from Lake High Street, left into The Fairway, right into Perowne Way, right towards Sandown along Avenue Road to continue the normal route.
The diversion will operate in both directions.

Stops between The Heights to College Close cannot be served.

❗️Route 68, 72 - The Broadway, Sandown is closed from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June.

31st May 2026 - 3rd Jun 2026

Affected routes: 68, 72

Affected stops:

The Heights, N-bound
Ferndale Court, NE-bound
Station Avenue, NE-bound

The Route 68, 72 are on diversion from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June due to The Broadway in Sandown being closed.

Route 68 & 72 towards Sandown will divert from Lake High Street, via The Fairway, right into Perowne Way, right towards Sandown, right into the Broadway and left into Station Avenue to continue the normal route.

Buses towards Newport are not affected.
Stops between Lake Fairway and Sandown Conservative Club.

❗️Routes 5 & 9 are on diversion between 19.30 and 06.00 on the nights of 1st, 2nd & 3rd June of June as Fairlee Road, Newport is being closed.

31st May 2026 - 4th Jun 2026

Affected routes: 5, 9

Affected stops:

Hillside, N-bound
Hillside, S-bound
Seaclose, N-bound
Seaclose, S-bound
Medina, Leisure Centre, N-bound
Medina, Leisure Centre, SW-bound
Orchard House, N-bound
Orchard House, S-bound
Whitehouses, NE-bound
Whitehouses, SW-bound
Binfield Corner, NE-bound
Binfield Corner, SW-bound

Routes 5 & 9 are on diversion between 19.30 and 06.00 on the nights of 1st, 2nd & 3rd June of June as Fairlee Road, Newport is being closed.

The Route 5 will divert via Staplers Road, Whiterails, Station Road and Lushington Road to reach East Cowes.
All route 9 buses will divert via Staplers towards Ryde.

This Diversion operates in one direction only.
Stops between Newport Bus Station and Binfield Corner cannot be served.

❗️Routes 2, 3, 8 & Island Coaster will be on diversion from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June due to The Broadway in Sandown being closed.

31st May 2026 - 3rd Jun 2026

Affected routes: 2, 3, 8, Island Coaster

Affected stops:

The Heights, N-bound
The Heights, SW-bound

Routes 2, 3, 8 & Island Coaster will be on diversion from 08.00 on 1st June until 15.00 on 3rd June due to The Broadway in Sandown being closed.

Routes 2, 3, 8 & Island Coaster buses towards Ryde will divert from Lake High Street, left into The Fairway, then right into Perowne Way, right towards Sandown, right into the Broadway and left into Melville Street to continue normal route.

Routes 2, 3, 8 & Island Coster towards Newport are not affected.

01/06/2026

A FINE START TO A WET MONDAY – 01/06/2026

Good morning, everyone! After a fine morning, the Met Office is forecasting rain from 14.00 onwards. Temperatures will range from 15 to 17 degrees C, accompanied by light SSW winds.

All island travel services appear to be running to schedule, as of 07.30 this morning, and there are no further reported problems with either our roads or traffic.

Friendly Cabs is open and operating normally. We wish you all a pleasant start to your week! 01983 506975

https://friendlycabs.co.uk/a-fine-start-to-a-wet-monday-01-06-2026/

31/05/2026

SUNDAY 31/05/2026 - FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS FOX CUB RESCUE

Well done to Friends of the Animals and all involved. Brilliant result! ❤️