We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with readers. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch. This letter from David Henshall from Ventnor. Ed
Forty two years ago, almost to the week, the American singer/songerwriter Carole King was singing “I can feel the earth move, under my feet” on her iconic album ‘Tapestry’.
The timing might well have been fortuitous for the residents of Ventnor back then as the ground was indeed moving. Listening to the song again on local radio has just highlighted that in Upper Ventnor the ground is once again is becoming ever more unstable, yet amazingly there has been nothing in the way of any statement from Isle of Wight council, despite the seismic movement that has been taking place there too.
‘Always movement’
It is easy to hide behind the comment that there is ‘always movement’ associated with the Lowtherville ‘Graben’ (the technical term for the geological fault line that is behind – or underneath – the latest movement).
However, you do not need to be a formally trained Geologist to see that there is something out of the ordinary going on!
The cracks in the roads, pavements and paths, not to mention walls and houses are getting visibly wider, almost on a daily basis.
No movement on roadworks
The road works at the junction of Ocean View Rd and Newport Rd have been left for some weeks now, with one pavement closed off (given pedestrians a tricky ‘double crossing’ of this busy main road) but even here the tarmac ‘band aid’ put down on the pavement is already showing signs of subsequent movement.
Recently, what appeared to be official surveyors have been seen in the area taking measurements, were these officials from the IWC or did they have some other purpose?
Certainly no one has mentioned anything as yet, but surely this cannot be from a lack of information.
Please release the movement data
Detailed research shows that the movement of the Graben is measured and a monthly statistic recorded. Are we, the taxpayers and residents of the area, somehow not to be trusted with this information? Can this not be given to us in a easy to understand format, a bit like having your blood pressure taken (something that might well be elevated for those living on the Graben)?
“Give it to me straight Doctor” might be an oversimplification, but if the 12-15mm that some areas have slipped in the last month is still in the normal range, then let us be at least told as much with a reassurance that it has to be far worse than that before we are at risk of experiencing our own Carol King moment!
Will changes at County Hall bring transparency
Unlike many of the now-ex members of the IWC (with the notable exception of Chris Welsford who was very aware of this issue) one can but hope that the new make up at Newport will not live with their heads buried in the sand, for if one is doing that and the ground that you’re stood on does ‘let go’ it could be a very good way of loosing your head!
