The Isle of Wight Council is urging people to stay away from Seaview slipway after a failure was discovered in the coastal defence wall.
The section affected, in Pier Road, has suffered a failure at the seaward end of the slipway.
Impossible to put physical barriers in place
Because this lower section is tidal, the council says it is impossible to put physical barriers in place on the beach or between the sea defences, as they would simply be washed away. As a result, the closure can only be enforced from the landward side on Pier Road.
Council officers are investigating the cause of the damage and working to identify a long‑term solution. Given the conditions on site and the likelihood of further movement, the slipway is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Officers will return at low tide today (Friday) to carry out further assessments.
Dix: We will update the community as soon as we have a safe way forward
Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said,
“Public safety is our absolute priority. The damage is in a tidal zone, which means any barrier placed at the bottom would be removed by the sea, so we’ve closed the slipway from the landward side and are asking everyone to avoid the area.
“We’ll continue to monitor conditions at low tide and will update the community as soon as we have a safe way forward.”
Take extra care
Residents are reminded to take extra care near the coast following recent surges and persistent wet weather:
- Keep clear of sea walls, promenades and slipways during rough conditions;
- avoid standing close to the edge of defences to watch waves;
- don’t attempt to cross flooded paths or beach sections cut off by tides;
- and keep dogs on leads near cliffs and tidal structures.
If you see new damage or movement along the shoreline, report it to the council so risks can be assessed quickly: [email protected]
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
