East Cowes councillors met to inspect the newly-completed regeneration work on East Cowes Esplanade, which has created seating and a walkway in an area previously closed off following landslips.
A 3-month project to restore access to the popular seafront area is now finished. The area is open to the public and already proving popular with local people.
The community of the town raised a significant amount of funding through donations, supported by the Isle of Wight Council and East Cowes Town Council.
Landslips in 2014 and 2018 meant parts of the beachfront road had to be closed. The major landslip still hasn’t been cleared though, meaning access has not been re-established to Castle Point.
Following the successful local campaign of community fundraising and support, the Isle of Wight Council appointed Island-based contractor, John Peck Construction, to stabilise the soft slopes with rock baskets, and install new seating along the promenade.
Councillor Sharon Lake, of East Cowes Town Council, has been coordinating local action to get the esplanade reopened. She said:
“I love it. People are just pleased to get the space back and to enjoy it on a nice sunny day.
“Of an evening you come down here and there’s somebody sat on every bench. It’s made a massive difference and tidied it up so much.
Article continues below this advertisement “This has been four years of hard work, but now we want the next bit done. We need to raise the funds to get a geotechnical survey, and work out how the next area can be reopened.
“So if anyone is able to help sponsor that work please contact East Cowes Town Council.”
Councillor Karl Love, from the Isle of Wight Council, added:
“The project has created enthusiasm across East Cowes from the wonderful efforts that have been made by Sharon, and the team and everybody involved.
“That’s leading on to the next part of the project which is probably going to take a little bit more time to achieve.
“We’ll be removing about 15 trees in the woodland with ash dieback disease later this year, and of course planting some more to replace them.
“Then after that I’m hoping we can find a way to do the geotechnical survey and feasibility study to continue this great project further.”
In 2020 the local community donated nearly £30,000 in sponsorship to help start the project. Volunteers put in more than 1,000 hours clean-up work to get the site ready.
Funding and support has also come from Sovereign Housing, East Cowes Community Partnership, East Cowes Town Council, the Shrape Swimmers community group, Elmstone Design, TLM Laser Ltd, John Peck Construction, the Isle of Wight Council, David Watts, Chris Ashman, Gavin Tomlinson, Chris and Lin Kemp and many other organisations and businesses.
On a nice evening all the seats have people sitting on them – who is she trying to kid? The place is practically deserted and always will be until the eyesore of the landslip is cleared up, which will be never. A couple of days with a JCB would have had that shifted years ago. Thanks, useless council.
Is the landslip still there? Honestly can’t tell, the trees looked lovely when I was there yesterday. Are you talking about the thing at the very end behind a gate? You’d need to very specifically look there to even see it.
Biggest problem with East Cowes esplanade that turns me and my gf away is that it’s a giant parking. Luckily that new space is gated but you still have to march on a tiny sidewalk while cars are granted 3x the space to park and drive. THOSE are ugly to look at and right in front of your eyes. Breathing in car fumes instead of sea breeze. Landslip at the far end hidden behind a gate is nothing compared to that.
Agree. They should have pedestrianised the part of the esplanade where there is no through road. Golden opportunity. It’s not pedestrian friendly. Admire the work done but totally unnecessary to have a bench every couple of metres right at the end.
You should try Specsavers (other opticians are available).
I sit there every evening with my friends, a case of beer and some cheap bottles of cider before relieving myself where ever possible.
It’s money well spent if you ask me!
Great to see that the first views of East Cowes from the ferries is much more pleasant! Now if something could be done about the horrendous amount of seaweed that collects down there….I’ve been told that a local farmer offered to remove it for fertiliser (a great way to recycle it usefully) but was told he couldn’t – no idea why. Also reopening the public toilets and making that area more attractive and usable would be a bonus for locals and visitors.
All that said it is really encouraging to see East Cowes improving – we are residents of the town so we’ve seen the positive changes and hope they continue. Well done to everyone so far!
This is a very positive community project, people tidying up their own environment.
Congratulations to all who made it happen.
As a regular visitor I can see the enjoyment it brings to locals & holiday makers .
There’s two types of people,
Moaners,
& people who care to get things done.