It’s been almost eight years since the residents of East Cowes heard the un-nerving noise of trees cracking and earth sliding, as the Esplanade experienced a landslip from the bank above it.
During that time, residents have raised over £25,000 to contribute towards work to stabilise the area, which has been closed to public access since the landslip.
This week, the first phase of work has commenced, with gabions installed along the Esplanade.
Love: Another example of fantastic community which exists in East Cowes
Karl Love, Isle of Wight councillor for East Cowes,
“Each gabion was donated by the people of the town and a fantastic effort has been made by Councillor Sharon Lake and her team in organising and bringing this project to fruition.
“The townspeople turned out after the recent storms to help clean all the gravel and now work has finally begun.
“It’s another example of the fantastic community which exists in East Cowes. I’m so lucky and proud being the ward councillor.”
Uncertain future
Karl went on to explain,
“The Esplanade was built by the people of East Cowes for the people of East Cowes and their leisure activities, and some elements of it are now facing an uncertain future with the Norris Castle planning application, which intends to cut through this wonderful Esplanade.”
You can watch Cllr Love updating residents in this video shared to social media.
