“The ongoing delays are unacceptable. Residents deserve clear communication” – those are the words of Councillor Ed Blake on the current state of Ventnor’s Belgrave Road a month after the road was closed following a large rockfall.
It was on 8th March that a large section of rock gave way in dramatic style, as previously reported by Island Echo. The collapse occurred on the same road that was closed in 2020 when cracks appeared in the road surface, before giving way weeks later. It took nearly 3 years to get the road reopened.
Now, more than 4 weeks after the rock collapse, locals and councillors are questioning why the road remains closed with no apparent effort to clear the debris.
Preliminary surveys have been carried out which have confirmed the rock to be at low risk of further collapse. However, the area below has been secured to ensure public safety.
Councillor Ed Blake has voiced his deep frustration over the situation:
“We woke to the news of the collapse a month ago, and since then, very little has happened.
“The only update we’ve received is a confusing statement from the Isle of Wight Council which claims that ‘surveys have been carried out which have confirmed the rock to be at low risk of further collapse’—only to then state that ‘it is only once permission is given that engineers will be able to assess the stability of the remaining rock face.’ Well, which is it?”
“The rockfall not only presents a continued risk to the road infrastructure but also has a tangible daily impact on residents. The extra weight of fallen rock on the road adds to the risk of collapse. More immediately, residents – especially elderly individuals – are being forced to take longer, steeper routes to access the town centre. For some, the detour over Alpine Road is simply not manageable.”
Article continues below this advertisement
He also raised concerns about further potential damage to nearby properties and the legal implications of inaction.
“There is legal precedent, such as in Rylands v Fletcher, to suggest that any fallen debris from an overhang onto the road network becomes the responsibility of the Highway Authority – in this case, the Isle of Wight Council – regardless of who owns the land above.”
Joe Robertson MP added:
“I cannot understand why there has been no action or even a timeline of action presented. I totally understand residents’ frustration.”
Councillor Blake concluded:
“The ongoing delays are unacceptable. Residents deserve clear communication, swift action, and above all, a safe and accessible route through their town.”
Give them grief Ed
I work on belgrave road, now I have to drive around to get to work on that bone shaking road that’s not fit for purpose. It puzzles me why HSE have never taken the council to court over these dangerous roads.
I have said for years Health and Safety does not
exist on the island.
Vehicles are allowed to park on Pavements, Double Yellow Lines,
Zig Zags and outside the Taxi Rank near Wetherspoons in Ryde
not to mention the numpty’s who park in the loading bay along
Regent Street Shanklin and outside the takeaways along
Regent Street.
“Not to mention speeding motorists speeding on
islands roads”
SAFETY DOES NOT EXIST ON THIS FUNNY RUN ISLAND’
Roll on devolution, we need brains running the island,
not clueless numpty’s
If it was a car crash it would have been cleared in hours, what’s the difference between a car or a rock blocking the road?
Exactly
No difference at all
And if it was on the so called council leaders road it would be cleared and a new road laid by now
Don’t think the council has a bucket and spade.
What you don’t understand is that Jerk Jordan hates Ventnor, he always has and always will. It wouldn’t take much to break it off and cart it away, they have been lugging silt and sand away from Ventnor for days and days, that gets done but the big rock still sits their, unbelievable.