The Isle of Wight councillor responsible for dealing with the Undercliff Drive landslip has been forced to step in and correct a letter sent to marooned residents by a senior officer.
On 7th July, the Isle of Wight Council executive, under pressure from residents and others concerned for the future of the road link, asked for costs and timescales for four options – three involving a short-term solution to deal with the immediate problem for the nine landlocked homes and businesses, and a fourth, longer-term option which would involve major drainage work, opening the possibility of restoring a “safe vehicular route between Ventnor and Niton along the Undercliff”.
What agreed IWC policy actually is
The minutes record that:
Members agreed that a quick fix solution would not be advantageous and a longer term solution needed to be investigated which could identify drainage needs.
It was therefore noted that members were keen to explore an additional option that would identify the feasibility to carry out investigations in relation to possible longer term options.
and that
Decision taken:
I. THAT officers investigate the potential costs, time line and budget on the following options:Option 1 – Re-establish pedestrian access only.
Option 4 – Establish a new access road to properties along the base of the cliff.
Option 5 – Establish a temporary low cost road from the west.
and report back to the Executive in September 2015 (sic):
II. THAT the feasibility of an additional option which was to carry out investigations in relation to possible longer term options for the Undercliff, be agreed.
(The agreed date for the report back was in fact September 2014) and that
Reason for the decision and corporate objective it aligns with:
To re-establish a safe vehicular route between Ventnor and Niton along the Undercliff [our emphasis]
To adhere to the following corporate priorities:
- Growing the economy and tourism.
- Working in partnerships to improve outcomes.
- Protecting the public.
- Delivering statutory duties and achieving value for money.
Head of planning contradicts Executive
The rationale for the decision, as minuted, appears perfectly clear. Yet on 18th July, the council’s head of planning and regulatory services, Bill Murphy, wrote to the residents, outlining the first three options, and adding:
“Any solution which re-established a vehicular route between St Lawrence and Niton has now been discounted.”
He went on to describe the longer-term option only as “managing groundwater”, saying:
In addition the Executive also asked officers to investigate a longer term solution which would involve managing groundwater and that this option should also be included in the report to the September Committee. I did advise that this element of the work is not likely to be significantly advanced by the date of the September Executive.
OnTheWight pushes for clarification
There was an outcry when OnTheWight ran extracts from the letter that same day, with many readers pointing out the apparent contradiction between the Executive discussion and Mr Murphy’s account of it.
Now, after prompting from OnTheWight, Cllr Jon Gilbey, whose Executive brief includes the PFI contract, has issued a statement conceding that:
“The executive did agree to look at what was described as option 7, to investigate a longer term solution which would involve managing groundwater which could potentially result in the ground being stabilised enough for a new road in the future.”
Cllr Gilbey, in an apparent reference to Mr Murphy’s inaccurate letter, goes on to say:
“Residents were informed of these decisions in writing after the meeting.”
Residents in limbo
Parts of Undercliff Drive collapsed in February, as Island Roads carried out a major stabilisation scheme during the wettest winter on record.
The army was called in to evacuate residents, who still have no idea when – or if – they will be able to return. In fact, their situation was recently described as ‘a living hell’ by local councillor Stewart Blackmore.
Meanwhile Island geologist Professor Bruce Denness has held a preliminary meeting with Council officials, including Mr Murphy, to brief them on his ideas for the Undercliff’s long-term future.
Experts finally to meet
Professor Denness, who while working for the British Geological Survey built roads in challenging conditions all over the world, believes there is no reason why, within “a few years”, the area cannot be stabilised sufficiently to enable a permanent through route to be built.
A further meeting of experts is due to be held next Tuesday (12/8), and Professor Denness welcomed what he sees as a positive attitude from all concerned.
Original letter from Bill Murphy
Image: ilovememphis under CC BY 2.0
