Passionate locals have taken matters into their own hands to get a Ventnor road reopened nearly 18 months after a wall collapse forced its closure by Island Roads.
It was in October 2023 that Bath Road – which runs from the Esplanade to Belgrave Road – was closed to all traffic when a garden wall collapsed, resulting in debris being spewed across the carriageway.
Fed up with the continuing lack of action, which is having a detrimental effect on Isle of Wight businesses and residents alike, local man Karl Hunter – accompanied by friends Ellis and Mark – have begun efforts to clear the road in the hopes that it can reopen in time for the important Summer season.
The trio arrived at Bath Road this morning (Tuesday) and got straight to cutting back vegetation that has wildly grown, making quick progress in the glorious Spring sunshine.
They also began placing parts of the wall to one side – to be used for the reinstatement at a later date – to remove the remaining earth and foliage. But they stopped short of removing the entire mound to ensure that it is not supporting the land behind, something it is hoped Island Roads will support in investigating.
The action today has captured the attention of both the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads, who attended the site – and it is thought a few feathers have been ruffled.
A legal battle continues over who is responsible for the wall and therefore the clear up operation and repair, although it’s understood neither the land owner nor Island Roads objected to Karl’s, Mark’s and Ellis’ voluntary efforts.
The Isle of Wight Council previously served notice to the landowner to enforce the repair works, but faced an appeal. The matter is still working its way through the court process with no hearing date yet set.
Speaking exclusively to Island Echo this morning, Karl said:
“Island Roads is fast becoming one of the most unpopular companies serving the Island, just behind Red Funnel and Wightlink. Islanders are starting to question some of the unnecessary work Island Roads are undertaking, yet matters like the closure of Bath Road have been left unresolved for years, much to the detrimental of local businesses and residents.
“The cost to resolve this issue will likely now be insignificant compared to the total economic loss to Ventnor sea front.
“There were many better ways Island Roads could have approached this issue and got the road reopened. They could have cleared the site, and if needed applied an inexpensive temporary fix until a Court concluded if Island Roads is liable for this wall or not. If a third party is found liable, then they could invoice that party.
“Once we are finished, It is my hope that the road can be reopened in the very near future”.
Addressing concerns that the wall could collapse again, Karl has a common sense response:
“If the wall collapses again, then close the road again. However, nothing has moved here for 18 months and I suspect we could at least enjoy use of the road until the end of the summer. However, hopefully the wall will be repaired by then”.
Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council have been approached for a statement, with a response expected on Wednesday.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY – In a joint statement, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council have said:
“The closure of Bath Road followed the collapse of a private wall and it is the responsibility of that private landowner to make the required repairs.
“The council is currently engaged in legal action to secure repairs which is delaying the ability to reopen this route in the town.
“Our view is that even if debris was cleared away, there remains a risk of a further collapse and until that risk is removed, the road should not be re-opened to the general public.”
Makes one wonder why we pay council tax.
Don’t know why the council just don’t rebuild the wall and send the owner the bill. That’s what would have happened to me if I had not cut back my overhanging hedge.
Good point, unfortunately we have a useless Council.
Island roads has been terrible value for the tax payer on the Island. It was sold to islanders on the promise that ALL the roads would be lovely and perfect…. there was a phase of ‘core investment’ which is now over and done with – they will now do the bare minimum to maximise profit until the contract is over…
All Island Roads have done on the island is
become an employment agency.
They employ a load of useless / don’t know what
they are doing Numpty’s who spend all day
sitting in vehicles, smoking and vaping
(Even though it is against the law to smoke in
Company vehicles), not to mention spending
most of the day parked up in vehicles.
Island Roads is a joke!
Workmanship is poor, they should be called
Boomerang Roads, because the majority of
their work, they have to go back too!
Usual story when things are privataised or contracted out.
By the look of that wall next to the mound, I won’t be passing any time soon.
A quotation from Karl Hunter ‘islanders are beginning to question some of the unnecessary work Island Roads are undertaking.’
Yes Indeed & some of the unnecessary work they have already undertaken.
They should stop the unnecessary ‘creeping urbanisation’ of this lovely Island.
Ventnor residents and the local councillor have plead for this road to be opened, almost monthly for the last 18 months, they have been rebuffed by IOWC and IR. Council’s reasons never made sense, and were timid. Island Roads wanted no part of it. Sadly both failed residents. Council when asked, said it wasn’t their wall, that might be the case, but refused to fix it, arguing no money, the same reasons given for not saving other parts of the Undercliff, like the Garben, yes residents put that on your list. You would have thought that given the level of inconvenience and time taken, Council might have mapped who owns what walls on the Island and made it clear to owners who was responsible, so avoiding a repetition of this sad state of affairs…….. to the knowledge of a group of residents this hasn’t been done, meaning the terrible situation will repeat itself in the future. We deserve better. Much better