Local businesses in Shanklin are deeply concerned about the impact to their trade after Chine Hollow was closed without warning last week – and could remain so until February 2024.
A wall along the pathway between the Old Village and Luccombe collapsed late last year and, as a result, was cordoned off – but crucial access has always been maintained.
However, a wall on the opposite side of the path, which is owned by pub chain Greene King, has now been deemed ‘dangerous’ resulting in Chine Hollow being closed in its entirety. Heras fencing has been erected at both ends preventing all access.
Major attractions including Shanklin Chine and Rylstone Tea Gardens, as well as hotels and holiday apartments in Luccombe, only learned of the closure when the fencing was suddenly erected last Wednesday (2nd August), meaning visitors and guests face a circuitous alternative route to reach their destinations.
The alternative route – along Priory Road and Popham Road – is a significantly longer walk and tourists in particular have been seen wandering around puzzled as to how to access the attractions.
Island Echo understands that the diminished footfall that has ensued has had a major impact on visitor numbers with takings significantly down from the corresponding week last year.
Shanklin Chine has told Island Echo that it is losing thousands of pounds due to the path closure, which prevents access to the top of the historic Chine. The attraction is working to find a resolve to the situation and is due to issue further information later today (Thursday).
Meanwhile, Bob from Rylstone Tea Gardens has said:
“This closure is having a significant impact on our visitor numbers in the middle of our peak season. Unfortunately there is limited parking around us and a large amount of our visitors park in the Old Village and walk through Chine Hollow.”
Island Echo asked Island Roads for a statement on Tuesday, but a response is yet to be received. However, it’s understood that a meeting is due to take place later today with hope that a resolution can be agreed upon.
The official traffic notice states that the path will be closed until February 2024.
An Island Roads spokesperson has said:
“Following the significant collapse of a section of a retaining wall and also the real risk of further movement on another section which is currently being supported, we have closed the footpath in the interests of public safety.
“The supported wall is in private ownership and we are aware that the owner is in discussions with the IW Council with a view to making the repairs as soon as possible. However as this historic wall is a listed structure, planning processes need to be followed before the landowner can undertake the work.
“As soon as the site is made safe or we can confirm the support is sufficient, then we will, of course, be able to re-open this footpath.”
Maybe get one of the idlers from the council or Island Roads (those who stare at their phones all day) to stand by this sign and give holiday makers guidance on how to get where they want to be.
Better still……..you do it.
Sadly, I am too busy doing a demanding and vitally important job, which is why I recommended getting an idler from the council or Island Roads to do it.
good, shut the holiday lets down
The steps from the beach up to Rylstone Gardens have also been closed indefinitely, probably never to re-open. Another access point gone.
Things seem to take an age before decisions are made, not good.
All the council want is to get paid to house mainland and now, flotsam from Africa, and could not care less about local businesses or local people
See them for what they are.
Gabion cages though could help repair the slippage, can’t advertise our business though.
Think you might be loosing business due to the cash only (Shanklin chine)
What’s wrong with parking at the beach and walking in the other end or is that to easy and then the council still get extra out of the parking because they charge more at the beach.
I think going cashless is what has done the damage and this is the perfect excuse
It seems Island Roads get a lot of bad press. Like any organisation they probably have some excellent staff and some utter wastes of space. Their playing the “..a listed structure, planning processes need to be followed…” game does seem naive, though, as if left long enough the only thing to discuss will be what to do with the big pile of rubble which used to be a wall.
The Echo’s report worries that “…visitors and guests face a circuitous alternative route to reach their destinations…”. Do no locals use Chine Hollow or don’t they matter for the purpose of this story?