There was an outpouring of support from Islanders last night on Facebook, after news that 'people power' has resulted in residents in Undercliff Drive landlocked properties having access their homes by car again.
Residents of Undercliff Road are sick of Isle of Wight council and Island Roads having done nothing solid over the last eight months to re-provide vehicle access to their homes. Knowing this, a group of Islanders have got together and built a road themselves, as a big 'Up Yours!'
Whether the call-in will delay work going on behind the scenes to prepare reports due to go to the October Executive for both Undercliff Drive and Totland Seawall is not yet known. We've asked and are awaiting a response.
The Coastguard, Ambulance Service, Fire Service and Police were all involved in the incident which took place just after 6pm on Thursday night. Our thoughts are with family and friends.
The council tell OnTheWight that it could be November before options to give any access to Undercliff Drive are even discussed. Concerns are that when it starts to rain, will currently exposed porous land/surfaces be left open to drink up the rain and then trigger further landslips - exposing the council to further costs?
Undercliff residents says Island Roads may be required to answer questions about the situation, but it is the Council who must facilitate the process and to simply pass the buck is unacceptable.
Residents waited with baited breath at last night's Executive meeting to hear whether Members would approve funding that would allow them to get back into their homes.
As mentioned several times already through OnTheWight, the council will be deciding on how to tackle the landlocked homes on Undercliff Drive next Tuesday.