South Wight residents and businesses face more major disruption as the entire esplanade between Ventnor and Bonchurch is set to close until 2024 as part of a project that won’t be completed until 2031.
This week’s news is the latest development in the wider Ventnor Coastal Protection and Slope Stabilisation Scheme which is set to run into the next decade and states that the esplanade must be closed for approximately 18 weeks from early September this year in order to carry out intrusive ground investigative works.
These will take the form of ‘coring, trench pits and boreholes along the esplanade’ and the plans show that the affected area will run from the site of the existing closed section to the West all the way along to Monks Bay to the East.
It is hoped that by investigating the structural integrity of the existing coastal defences and understanding the condition of the ground beneath them, another ‘premature asset failure like that
experienced at Eastern Cliffs last winter‘ can be avoided.
The works look set to have a major impact on businesses such as The Seapot – which was denied compensation at the time of the previous closure – as well as esplanade users who will no longer be able to walk, run, swim or fish along the scenic stretch of coastline.
There will also be an investigation to see ‘whether groundwater management in the form of a supplementary dewatering scheme could better protect the coastal defences and reduce landslide movement in the town.’
This will mean that for approximately 16 weeks there will be a temporary construction site and a welfare compound, above the Western Cliffs, at the Western end of the La Falaise car park.
The coastal path between La Falaise Car Park and the eastern end of Ventnor Park will be closed for approximately 2 weeks at the start and again at the end of these works and a diversion will be put in place.
There will then be a lengthy consultation period in the coming years with the construction of a long-term solution not expected to begin until Winter 2028/2029 and completion not expected until Winter 2030/2031.
A public meeting will be held at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor on Tuesday 22nd August at 18:00 at which further details will be provided about the project.
This ‘Investigation’ is reminiscent of works carried out in 2022 in Sandown Bay from Yaverland to Shanklin Chine. Is anyone aware of a report of those findings and, if there is such a report where one can find it, or what it says.
Make a Freedom of Information request.
not sure if a freedom of information request to the council would provide one.
Well you can only ask! If they have a report, then they are obliged to share it.
There will also be an investigation to see ‘whether groundwater management in the form of a supplementary dewatering scheme could better protect the coastal defences and reduce landslide movement in the town.’
That’s obvious to everyone and had the council done this along the undercliff you would still be able to drive along there. All the water collected could be given to Southern Water to obviate hose pipe bans. Call in a water diviner.
If large Gabion Cages were employed then water could pass through the lower layer and the higher levels would be great for the areas naturally rich lizard population.
Cheap easy to fill with local material so environmental friendly and we can supply in any size in stainless steel so rust proof
So the council would rather waste your money in keeping cronies sweet it seems
Gabion cages wouldn’t last long being battered by the sea and shingle. And lizards would not live in cages exposed to regular battering by the sea.
BTW, you’ve slipped up this time by stating “we can supply in any size in stainless steel so rust proof”. These shameless ads should be stopped.
Ah another with a buggy full in the family I guess. Father still around?
Lead by example and put a stainless steel gabion cage on top of your keyboard.
With rising sea levels it will pay off in the long run