Works to reopen Bath Road in Ventnor are set to begin ‘as soon as possible’ after the Isle of Wight Council reached an agreement with the owner of the land at the centre of a near 3-year dispute.
The key route linking Ventnor Esplanade with the top of the town has remained closed since October 2023, when heavy rainfall caused the collapse of a retaining wall, leaving the carriageway buried beneath rubble.
Since then, the road’s closure has become one of the Isle of Wight’s most protracted highways disputes, with disagreement over who was responsible for repairing the privately owned wall leading to lengthy legal proceedings and repeated delays.
The Isle of Wight Council has now confirmed it has reached an agreement with the property owner, removing the need to wait for the outcome of court proceedings over ownership before repairs can begin.
A spokesperson for the local authority has said:
“This important development allows the council to progress plans to repair the wall and reopen the road.
“The procurement process to appoint contractors is now underway, with works set to begin as soon as possible to restore safe access for the community.”
Island Echo has reported extensively on the impact of the closure over the past 3 years, with businesses on Ventnor Esplanade warning of declining visitor numbers and residents becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress.
Earlier this year, local volunteers took matters into their own hands by clearing vegetation and loose masonry from the site in a bid to reopen the road, although their efforts were halted on safety grounds while legal issues continued.
The dispute later centred on whether the collapsed retaining wall formed part of a private property or the public highway, with court hearings repeatedly delayed as ownership was contested.
Esplanade businesses have consistently warned that the closure has harmed trade by making the seafront more difficult to reach.
Tony Groves, owner of Lady Scarlett’s Tea Room, previously said the closure had contributed to a 20-30% reduction in business, while Lisa Boynton, co-owner of the Esplanade Beach Shop, estimated trade had fallen by around 25%.
The council has not yet confirmed when repair works will begin or how long they are expected to take, saying only that work will commence “as soon as possible” once contractors have been appointed.
About time. Ventnor Esplanade is a pain in the A@se with
motorists parking on both sides of the esplanade it is a nightmare
with this road closed.