The Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads are keeping schtum over how long the main Shanklin to Ventnor road will be closed for – despite confirming that the carriageway is crack-free and has kept its structural integrity. Around 400 people packed into St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor last night for a heated public meeting. Over the course of more than 2 hours, details about the current situation were discussed – but no timescale was given as to when access via Leeson Road will be reinstated, much to the despair of those attending. Several of those present called for Leeson Road to be reopened straight away after Island Roads’ CEO, Rob Gillespie, confirmed that the carriageway has maintained its integrity since the landslide almost 3 months ago. A Leeson Road resident said if their house, which is now sitting near a cliff edge, has not been condemned, the road could surely be reopened. There was further uproar when it was revealed that monitoring equipment is to be installed during the month of March, resulting in some residents shouting out to ask what had been taking place in December, January and February. It was on 14th December last year that Island Echo reported the Council would be monitoring the area ‘in the coming days’, with a view to reopening the road if no further movement was detected – but it seems they have backtracked on this. 
After the public Q&A, Island Echo directly asked the Council what the minimum monitoring period of Leeson Road is likely to be, and the current estimated timeframe that the local authority is working to in respect of getting the road back open. In response, Natasha Dix, service director for environment and planning, said there was no working timeframe. When pushed on the minimum monitoring time, the question was directed to Island Roads – but it had already been stated that Island Roads’ Rob Gillespie would not be taking any media questions, despite answering questions from the public all evening. Island Roads declared earlier in the meeting that they will move as quickly as they can to use the information from the monitoring so that the road can be reopened safely. However, it was made clear that when it does reopen, it is likely to be with traffic restrictions in place – such as a single lane under traffic light control. The Isle of Wight Council has since said it is keen to reopen Leeson Road ‘as quickly as possible’ with an expert report stating this might be possible, but only after there has been further monitoring and a real-time warning-response system installed. There has still been no word on how long this monitoring will last. 
In a statement issued today, Natasha Dix has said:
“The Jacobs report recommends we carry out further ground investigations and surveys before we move to reopen the road. Working with our technical consultants, we’ll look to do those as quickly as possible to enable this important road to reopen at the earliest opportunity, but public safety has to be our priority.”
Speaking after the meeting, 1 resident said:
“I came away annoyed and frustrated that I can’t get back the two and a half hours of my life or my parking charges. I didn’t hear anything new and got the impression they were clapping themselves on the back. “Ironically, they kept talking about the future and planning but gave no timescales. They talked about monitoring starting in March when it was already supposed to be underway but with no indication as to how long. There was no mention of an estimated re-opening date, if it is viable, yet IR road closures states it is closed until 31 May minimum. “Seems funny that Southern Vectis knew this a couple of weeks ago to enable them to reschedule their buses!”
It was revealed, however, that some 40 acres of land was displaced by the major landslide on 10th December, described as one of the largest landslides recorded on the South Coast of Britain. It follows much smaller landslides in 1995 and 2001. It was also said that the Council will be working with Southern Vectis and Ventnor Town Council to extend the Route 31 bus service to Leeson Road, again indicating that the closure is likely to be long-term. The Council says that ‘hopefully’ they will get to the point where the footpaths through The Landslip can be reopened and people can once again enjoy a walk to Shanklin.
Will it ever re-open, the Undercliff never did.
Very true,and dopey dave stewart said it will re open on my watch!
more tory claptrap.
The Council employ buffoons, they are totally clueless when it
comes to Road safety and Island Roads don’t have a brain between them.
I drove along the Military Road today and there was a
Double Decker bus driving along, why let heavy vehicles drive on a
Road that is at risk from collapsing into the sea.
Buses should go inland, or use single decker buses.
The undercliff will never be reinstated, within the last few weeks the slippage has started moving again, the foot way link between the east and west has now moved and has had barriers erected.
Politicians staying tight lipped and not communicating with the people that elected them? Who’d have thought? No doubt they’ll be after your votes again pretty soon. Might be a bit more loose lipped by then.
The whole thing was just a tick box exercise to say they’ve done it.
The whole island will be totally reclaimed by the sea one day ,no doubt about it
no one will win against Mother Nature doesn’t matter how much money is thrown at it ,so save ya pennies and except that nature wins every time
Sadly, I have to agree. I hope the Island residents problems are solved very soon.
Well im in cowes so im ok for a few million years…
Nothing is going to happen no money no interest..same with milly whens it gone its gone..