A legal decision on the Bath Road, Ventnor closure has been delayed for another six months.
Bath Road has remained closed since 30th October 2023 following the collapse of a garden wall onto the carriageway. The road, which provides a vital link between the western esplanade and Belgrave Road, became inaccessible to traffic after the incident. Since then, progress has stalled due to legal disputes, as one of the landowners contested an enforcement notice issued by the Isle of Wight council.
In April 2025, OnTheWight reported that the council had agreed, in the interim, to fund the repairs from the highways capital budget and then reclaim the costs from the appropriate owner through the court process.
Ten months later and the road is still closed to traffic.
Blake: This is unacceptable
On Friday, Councillor Ed Blake, Isle of Wight Conservative councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence, explained that the recent court date was meant to settle the differences between Isle of Wight Council and the landowner, but had been delayed until 5th August 2026.
In an address on social media (see below), Councillor Blake, said,
“Now plainly this is unacceptable.”
Meeting to find temporary solution
He went on to say he had just come from a meeting with the council’s CEO, Wendy Perera, and it was agreed a meeting would be set up between themselves, Island Roads and the council’s legal services team,
“To get a solution sorted temporarily before the 5th August court date, which would be into the fourth year of the ongoing absolute nightmare for Ventnor residents.”
Support from campaign group
David Groocock from campaign group, Keep Ventnor Moving, has told OnTheWight they have sent a strong letter to Wendy Perera in support of Councillor Blake and his upcoming meeting.
