A fresh landslide in a residential area of Ventnor has led to Police closing a number of roads in the town this evening (Friday).
Emergency services are in attendance on Zig Zag Road, where Island Echo understands some of the cliff face above has given way. Fears are growing that there could be further movement, but no evacuations have taken place as of yet. Assessments are being undertaken to ascertain the extent of the situation, and whether there is risk to nearby households. Police have deployed a drone to get an aerial view of the area. The fall has occurred behind the property ‘Tower House’ at the junction with Bellevue Road. 
The incident began at around 18:45 and is the latest landslide to occur in the Ventnor area. This morning a rock fall occurred on nearby Gills Cliff Road. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has several resources in attendance, with numerous Police units also present. Zig Zag Road and Bellevue Road have both been closed – from top to bottom – with hard road closures expected in due course. 
The Isle of Wight Council has been anticipating such incidents in January and February, as a result of the record-breaking weather seen in October last year. UPDATE @ 22:30 – An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has tonight said:
“We can confirm that a landslide occurred on Zig Zag Road in Ventnor (Friday 23 February). Emergency services, including the Police and Fire Service, promptly responded to the incident earlier this evening. As a safety measure, the affected area has been closed off to traffic. “Tomorrow morning (Saturday 24 February), the Council will assess the extent of the slip.”
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UPDATE SATURDAY – Daylight has revealed the extent of last night’s landslip. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/daylight-reveals-extent-of-zig-zag-landslip-house-cordoned-off/.
