Last weekend (7th February) marked the first anniversary of the 2014 landslip on Undercliff Drive, Ventnor. The landslip, either side of 11 properties, has resulted in a living hell for many of the residents.
OnTheWight first reported with video and photos from the landslip on 10th February and has since published just short of 70 articles, aiming to keep the plight of those landlocked residents in the public eye.
Evacuation of properties
A week after the first major movement was reported, residents were encouraged to move out of their homes. Army reserves, who were on the Island to help with flooding, was transferred down to Ventnor to help shift boxes out of homes and into storage.
Most of the residents moved out of their homes and have been staying in temporary accommodation (some having to move several times) with their belongings still in storage.
Some households have continued to live in their landlocked properties, but not without great difficulty.
Dossier of allegations
A dossier that was produced by one of the residents, Gary Smedmore, which revealed that he’d informed John Peck and Island Roads of movement at the two sites on Undercliff Drive where they’d been carrying out works, as far back as Christmas 2013.
He made a number of serious allegations in the dossier which was investigated by the Isle of Wight council and Island Roads.
Funding agreed
Proposals went before the Isle of Wight Executive and eventually, but too late for any work to start before the winter, they agreed to put aside £500,000 for repairs to the road.
This money will be used to rebuild the road from the West, providing vehicular access for residents, but not providing a through road.
However, a pedestrian/cycle through-way would also be created.
Residents take action
In October, after months of frustration at a lack of action, residents re-patched a small section of the landslipped road they’d been using to access their homes.
This was closed by the within a few days on the orders of the council who cited legal and safety issues.
Another four months have passed and for residents, they’ve seen no change to their situation.
Cllr Jordan: “Considerable progress is being made”
Earlier this week, OnTheWight contacted the Executive member responsible, Cllr Phil Jordan about the anniversary.
In a statement issued by the council today he said,
“Considerable progress is being made on developing the scheme we approved last year to create a part pedestrian route along part of the section of Undercliff Drive affected by the landslip, as well as a low cost limited access road from the west to give residents vehicular access to their homes.
“Detailed design work and costings are taking place and the aim is for this project to be underway and completed as soon as is practicably achievable. This scheme, however, remains subject to issues which include having the appropriate permissions in place in respect of some areas of third party ownership as well as suitable weather and ground conditions for the work to take place.
“I would like to reassure residents that we are treating this as an absolute priority and fully understand the frustrations they are experiencing.”
He went on to say,
“Although this closure has been frustrating for residents, we have a responsibility for people’s safety and must follow the legal and insurance advice that we have been given.
“However, the scheme which is planned to give the affected residents longer term access remains our priority and we will be keeping them fully informed of progress and the timetable of works when this is finalised.”
Residents ‘want justice’
Residents running a Facebook Page called, Supporting the Islanders who rebuilt Undercliff Drive have this week posted
It has nearly been a year since the Undercliff land slip on the Isle of Wight. To this very day there has still been no help or investigation from the Council or Island Roads.
How is there no compassion shown within the Council and Island Roads to help vulnerable people? Us residents have battled through the past year wanting questions answered as to our future. Many residents have fallen ill due to the severe stress levels.
How long are we expected to wait? When will justice be done?
