Residents and businesses in Ventnor have reacted with disbelief after learning that Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council have been shortlisted for an award for their work on Leeson Road last year.
The road was closed for many months following a catastrophic landslide event, considered to be one of the largest landslides recorded on the South Coast of England.
David Groocock, from the Keep Ventnor Moving Group (KVM), said,
“Residents and businesses in Ventnor were more than a little surprised — perhaps ‘staggered’ is the better word.”
Road closures still causing havoc
Mr Groocock pointed out that the award relates to the same Leeson Road that was closed for nearly a year.
The closure caused significant disruption to travel and what is believed to be “a devastating loss of earnings for many local businesses”.
He said,
“While Ventnor still battles with multiple ongoing closures, the idea that anyone would be seeking recognition — rather than offering apologies — is, frankly, hard to swallow.”
Bath Road: Accepted plan, no progress
He described a series of unresolved road closures continuing to affect the town. On Bath Road, residents commissioned a structural engineer, and his plan was accepted four months ago. Despite this, Mr Groocock said there has been no progress.
“Now, we hear a court case in September to determine who owns the wall is causing further delays.
“Meanwhile, we’ve been given not one, but two different stories. The road? Still closed.”
South Grove and Belgrave: No movement
South Grove Road has been promised repairs but no work has started. “Still closed,” Mr Groocock added.
At Belgrave Road (pictured at top), engineers are reportedly “struggling with the rocks”. He said,
“Still closed.”
Undercliff and Leeson: No clear resolution
Undercliff Drive, subject to another landslide in 2014, resulted in 11 properties becoming landlocked for several years, remains a grey area. Mr Groocock described it as,
“Officially never closed, unofficially impassable.”
He continued,
“The council now tells us they might reopen it someday. How comforting.”
Shortlisting for Leeson Road work
Regarding Leeson Road — the focus of the award shortlisting — Mr Groocock questioned the adequacy of the repair strategy.
“The boreholes, we’re told, are the long-term solution — although questions remain about whether they’re even in the right place or deep enough.”
He also criticised the council for not purchasing land that could have supported proper stabilisation.
“The council deemed the houses safe and off they went. That ship has sailed — along with any permanent fix.”
Only one fragile route in
Mr Groocock highlighted the ongoing risk to the town’s accessibility. With no alternative route, a failure of Leeson Road and the graben would cut off Ventnor.
He said,
“Add in the unstable Graben with only a patchwork solution in place, and we’re hanging on by a thread.”
The Whitwell Road, which would become the town’s only access route, remains overburdened and unfit for purpose, says the KVM group.
A call for serious action
Mr Groocock urged the council to shift its priorities.
“Before chasing accolades, how about addressing the very real problems that Ventnor faces every single day?”
He called on the Isle of Wight Council to develop proper proposals and apply for funding.
“If funding is the issue, develop proper proposals and put them forward to the Department for Transport. Apply. Reapply.
“Put these roads into the Island’s future transport strategy — they’re not in there now.”
He concluded,
“It’s time for action, not self-congratulation.
“Ventnor is tired of being treated as an afterthought.”
