A well-known feature in Ryde is set to undergo a significant refurbishment after being found in a poor state of repair, with extensive rust forcing parts of the structure to be replaced.
Ryde Town Council has confirmed that the Eastern Gardens Arch will be removed and overhauled as part of a joint project with the Isle of Wight Council.
Due to excessive corrosion, some elements of the arch cannot be salvaged and will need to be refabricated. Other sections will be stripped back, cleaned and restored before being reattached.
Once repairs are complete, the entire structure will be transported to the mainland for galvanising to protect against future weathering. It will then return to the Isle of Wight for reinstallation.
Modern 2PAC finishes will be applied to match the arch’s original appearance, while the existing support pillars will also be prepared and redecorated.
The plans have drawn criticism from some locals, who say the structure should have been maintained more regularly to prevent it from reaching its current condition.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential cost of the project, with some residents suggesting that ongoing maintenance may have been more cost-effective than a large-scale refurbishment.
Work is now underway, with the refurbished arch expected to be back in place by mid-June.
It would be interesting to have some history of the name and the arch.
How old is it?
Is it needed, could have been replaced with a cheaper one
made of wood.
Seems to be millions spent on Ryde yet nothing on Sandown.
That is because Ryde is the Gateway to the Island
Sandown is the Gateway to dereliction
(FULL OF RUN DOWN DERELICT HOTELS)