Ten years ago there were four entry and exit points by road in Ventnor. Following the devastating landslides on Undercliff Drive in February 2014 and by Leeson Road in December 2023, there are now just two routes for drivers, including those with buses or lorries, to get in and out of the town.
The day after the Bonchurch landslide closed access to Shanklin via Leeson Road in mid-December 2023, the road connecting the town to Upper Ventnor (Newport Road) was also closed, this time for emergency sewer works.
One route in and out
The repairs were carried out at speed (well done Southern Water) and the road was open again by the end of the week.
However, only having one route (Whitwell Road) in and out of the town caused confusion and havoc at certain times of the day and HGVs were advised to detour via Chale.
More movement
At the same time that Southern Water were repairing the damage to the sewer, many residents pointed out that something else was happening at the notorious hotspot.
The section as Ocean View Road meets Newport Road (just above the chip shop) is well known and well documented. It has been noted by residents for some weeks that there has been a growing dip in the northbound carriageway.
Constant monitoring
Island Roads, the highways PFI contractor, say they are constantly monitoring the area for ground movement with specialist electronic equipment, as well as monitoring it visually.
An Island Roads spokesperson told News OnTheWight,
“The Graben is a known geological location which is often subject to ground movement.
“The area is monitored by specialist electronic equipment installed in the ground as well as visual inspections of any surface changes.
“Island Roads are aware of the signs of movement.
“Visual monitoring will continue, and we remain alert to take necessary action should it be deemed necessary.”
The road has been subject to road closures for repairs over many years. The graben is something that is beyond the control of the highways authority, so repairs are made as and when they are needed.
Call to reinstate railway
News OnTheWight reader and contributor, David Baldwin MVO RVM, recently shared his views about the reinstatement of the railway to Ventnor in light of the geological challenges.
