A footpath at Castle Cove in Ventnor has reopened following ground investigation works, as attention now turns to Wheelers Bay where specialist drilling is set to cause temporary access restrictions this week.
The latest update on the Ventnor Coastal Defence Scheme confirms that the temporary closure at Castle Cove was lifted at the end of last week, as planned, with investigations continuing to make good progress.
Further surveys are scheduled to take place around Steephill Cove and Castle Cove over the coming weeks, although no additional footpath closures are expected.
Residents and visitors may still notice members of the project team carrying out investigations, with small fenced-off areas around equipment in certain locations.
Meanwhile, specialist drilling works are due to take place along the Wheelers Bay seafront through the week, with works taking place between 08:00 and 18:00 set to continue through to Friday.
Due to the size of the equipment being used, temporary localised closures will be required around the work area, affecting vehicle access to properties at Wheelers Bay Holiday Villas.
Pedestrian access will remain available throughout the works.
The investigations form part of a major multi-million-pound coastal defence project being developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council.
The proposed scheme aims to refurbish approximately 3.6km of coastal defences between Steephill Cove and Monks Bay, helping to protect around 3,300 homes, businesses and key infrastructure from coastal erosion and ground instability.
Ventnor sits on the Undercliff, recognised as the largest urbanised landslide complex in north-west Europe, where existing coastal defences play an important role in helping to stabilise the ground beneath the town.
The scheme, which is currently programmed to begin construction in 2030, is intended to provide protection for the next 60 years.
Proposals being considered include refurbishing existing seawalls and esplanades, installing wave return walls and constructing rock revetments along sections of the coastline.
Ground investigations began during the summer, with more detailed surveys getting underway in September.
These have included drilling boreholes to collect ground samples and identify hidden voids beneath the surface, digging trial pits along the foreshore and examining the condition of existing coastal infrastructure.
Earlier investigations also identified significant accumulations of sediment and debris within parts of the drainage network, preventing engineers from fully assessing some sections and highlighting the need for further surveys.
Specialist marine habitat surveys have also been undertaken offshore to help identify potential construction locations while reducing impacts on protected habitats.
The current programme of investigations is expected to be completed by the end of November, with findings helping engineers develop detailed designs for the coastal defence scheme.
As work continues, the project team has confirmed that its public information office near Eastern Esplanade Car Park will remain open to residents, businesses and visitors.
From this week, the office will operate on revised opening hours, with staff available on Tuesdays between 11:00-15:00 and Thursdays between 10:00-14:00.
Members of the public are encouraged to drop in to ask questions, raise concerns or share local knowledge about the coastline.
The project team says feedback from residents is helping to shape the developing proposals, with the information office remaining available throughout the rest of the ground investigation programme.
More information about the scheme can be found here.
