Residents still living in the landlocked properties on Undercliff Drive were livid this morning when they discovered that Island Roads had replaced combination padlocks on barriers, denying them access to their properties from the Ventnor end of the landslip.
According to residents, no notice of this change was given by Island Roads and they’ve not been given access to keys that would enable them to enter and leave via the barriers.
Resident: “It’s disgusting”
Owner of Undercliff Caravan Park, Gary Smedmore, got in touch to explain the issue.
He said the residents had always had access to the padlock’s combination to ensure they could escape the area in an emergency. They’ve had this pedestrian access for the last year, so the unannounced change came as a shock.
He told OnTheWight, “It’s disgusting”.
Video
Here’s a short video to try and give you a bit of a better idea of where the locked hoarding is.
Short walk Vs 8.8 mile round trip
One resident who lives in the landlocked area has close friends just a few hundred yards away on the other side of the barriers.
However, without pedestrian access through the closed area (which she’s had for over a year), she now has to walk to her car on the west side of the road closure, then drive via Niton to the Ventnor end of the landslip.
That’s an 8.8 mile round trip.
Cut off from car
Another resident who lives within the landlocked area usually parks her car at the Ventnor end and walks through the closed area to access her property, because she works in Shanklin.
With no explanation, or access, this morning she left her home unable to get to her car parked on the eastern side of the closure.
Working towards and acceptable solution
Cllr Phil Jordan, Executive member for the PFI, told OnTheWight,
“I’ve been having some senior-level discussions with Island Roads today about this after OnTheWight brought it to my attention and those discussions are continuing.
“I’m concerned that residents don’t have access like they once did and am continuing to work towards a solution acceptable to the residents.”
Silence is … not golden
OnTheWight got in touch with the Isle of Wight council press office this morning and Island Roads this afternoon, but both have failed to respond by time of publishing.
