The aim is to reopen Bath Road in Ventnor before the end of the year, the Isle of Wight Council has said after 3 years of closure.
Work to reinstate the key link between Ventnor Esplanade and the top of the town is due to begin next month, a County Hall spokesperson said earlier this week (Tuesday).
The road has been shut since October 2023 after heavy rain caused a privately owned wall to collapse, burying the route beneath rubble.
Responsibility for repairing the wall was previously disputed between County Hall and a property owner.
In August, the council said it had reached an agreement with the proprietor, meaning it no longer had to wait for the outcome of court proceedings to determine ownership.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson today said:
“Work to reopen Bath Road in Ventnor is due to begin in November following the appointment of a contractor.
Article continues below this advertisement “The road will remain closed for safety reasons, although pedestrian access will continue during the works.
“The aim is to reopen the road before the end of the year, subject to weather conditions and ongoing site monitoring.
“The Isle of Wight Council will keep residents updated as work progresses.”
Bath Road’s closure has caused huge disquiet among Esplanade businesses who have previously pointed to its damaging effects on trade and the visitor economy.
Tony Groves, owner of Lady Scarlett’s Tea Room, previously reported a 20 to 30% drop in business since the road shut, while Lisa Boynton, who co-runs the Esplanade Beach Shop, earlier this year said around 25% of trade had been lost.
