Following the rockfall on Belgrave Road late on Friday evening, Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, has called on the Isle of Wight council to come up with a long-term plan for Ventnor.
He has visited the site of the rockfall to speak with local residents and see the damage. A “sticking plaster approach” must be replaced by a long-term strategy that will put the council in a better position to bid for Government money, the MP says.
Robertson: IWC must be more proactive about securing the future of Ventnor
Speaking after his visit, where he met with local Councillor Ed Blake, Joe Robertson said,
“Shifting rock and earth is not the Council’s fault but it cannot simply wait for crisis events to happen before taking action. It must be more proactive about securing the future of Ventnor and move on from a sticking plaster approach.
“The council must come up with a whole-town strategy for the next 50 years and beyond. If the council says it is cash-strapped then the best thing it could do is come up with a plan because Government is not going to provide financial support if the council does not have a costed and credible plan to present.”
Blake: It was obvious that the rocks above were unstable
Local Councillor Ed Blake added,
“Belgrave Road was closed after a rockfall in the same place in 2020. The council took three years and spent millions on a retaining wall but didn’t deal with the overhanging rock.
“It was obvious that the rocks above were unstable and would eventually collapse. The council should have stabilised the rock above as part of the recent works.”
Robertson: A new approach is needed
Joe Robertson added,
“After a three year closure and millions of pounds spent, we are back to square one with all the money wasted.
“A new approach is needed from the council and I stand ready to help secure more funding from Government but Ministers will want to see a detailed plan.”
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
