Island Roads’ structures team will shortly begin work on the longest section of the highway network they have so far improved under the Highways PFI.
A near 300-metre section of the Ventnor Botanic Garden boundary wall and/or fence along Undercliff Drive will be improved in the project to be undertaken from late June until early September.
Given the unique character of the area, the design and materials used have all been agreed following discussions with the Island’s AONB partnership. Ventnor Botanic Garden has also been consulted over the project.
The work will focus on improving the condition of the existing masonry retaining walls while at the same time replacing the timber fencing above.
Luke Ward, Project Manager for Island Roads, says:
“The innovative bespoke fencing system has been designed to meet the required safety and technical standards but also to ensure the privacy, security and aesthetic requirements of this site are also met.
“There is also the fact we will be working in a very unique setting so we have taken great care to use materials that will complement the surroundings. The project should certainly smarten up the appearance of the streetscene.”
Work will be undertaken on weekdays under lights between 07:30 and 17:00 with traffic lights in place throughout the scheme. The majority of the wall is beyond the entrance to the botanic garden so there should be no access issues for the attraction or residents.
John Curtis, Ventnor Botanic Garden Director, said:
“We are delighted to see Island Roads tackling this project which will improve the appearance of the road by the entrance to the Botanic Garden in a way that is sensitive to our visitors’ experience.”
They broke our fence and didn’t sort hedge,why for Botanic Gardens?, sorting out new pavements that have been promised for 20years would be better spent. Brown envelopes ?.
Wouldnt it be nice to have under cliff drive reinstated…..weight restricted, an iconic road and a missing link to the islands infrastructure.
Are they mending any roads now or is that finished? They seem to keep marking the road which needs mending but that’s it. Have a look at the markings on Sandown Road by Wilton garage.
I wounder how many months of disruption we get from this
0730 – 1700. You mean to tell me they are actually going to be working from 0730 to 1700? Thought not. And a distance of 300 meters. Ah yes, one man only. Overcrowding otherwise.
One man working and 3 pen pushing managers measuring the road in case it got longer than the last time they measured it.
How about doing something about opening the undercliff? It’s been like 10 years. And bellgrave road. These guys are useless.