Students from the Isle of Wight College’s Uniformed Services course have been helping out with the work to improve East Cowes Esplanade.
A 3-month project to restore access to the popular Esplanade area is now underway at East Cowes.
Landslips in 2014 and 2018 meant part of the beachfront road had to be closed.
Following community fundraising and support the Isle of Wight Council appointed Island-based contractor John Peck Construction to stabilise the soft slopes with rock baskets, and install new seating along the promenade.
Students from the Isle of Wight College recently joined contractors from John Peck Construction at East Cowes to learn about the project, and help with work building the new structures.
Natasha Morgan, a student on the Uniformed Services course, says:
“I’m enjoying the work here, it’s very methodical and satisfying.
“I like knowing that the esplanade is going to be a space for people to enjoy.
Article continues below this advertisement “It feels nice to be renovating the area around us.”
Councillor Sharon Lake of East Cowes Town Council says:
“The East Cowes community have been vocal for a number of years regards improving accessibility and the visual appearance of this much loved area.
“East Cowes Town Council has been working with community groups and the Isle of Wight Council since early 2018 with a view to bringing this project to a successful conclusion.
“There have been times when we thought it would never happen but we are thankful to Chris Ashman, the Isle of Wight Council’s Director of Regeneration, for taking our wishes seriously and allowing us to explore a way forward.
“I am pleased that phase one of this project has finally come to a successful conclusion. Never underestimate the power of a united and committed community.”
Councillor Karl Love adds:
“This is an important project for the people of East Cowes.
“I’m pleased that some of the Island’s young people have come forward to lend a hand, with help from the Isle of Wight College.
“I’m grateful to John Peck Construction for taking the time to work with the students and help them learn about the way this scheme is being delivered.
“The esplanade improvement project is a great example of community-led regeneration with East Cowes Town Council working alongside island and government ambitions to improve quality of life and prosperity for everybody.”
i sincerely hope those baskets have been well fixed to the bases ,it be nice to be able to go that far along again
That’s what I thought too, Molly, that they were finally getting round to clearing the landslip. But no, all they have done is shore up the verge up to the landslip and built a wall across the road! Obviously our totally useless, unfit council have no intention whatsoever of ever clearing the landslip, even though it would only take a competent driver with a JCB a day or two at the most to clear the road. Utter waste of money, time and effort as usual.
Whilst applauding the privately sponsored efforts so far, it is a great shame that with all the money being proposed to be spent on other projects in East Cowes, none appears to be intended to be spent on fully restoring the access along East Cowes esplanade fully as far as Old Castle Point. It has been far too many years that the council has failed to achieve agreement to remove the part of the landslide that has covered the last section of road approaching Old Castle Point thus depriving the public of the use of it.
Have they drained the bank?