Residents are being evacuated from their homes and Police have closed the main road between Shanklin and Ventnor after a large scale landslide in the Bonchurch area tonight (Sunday). It is understood residents were alerted to a major landslide in the vicinity of Leeson Road, near to Devil’s Chimney and the area known as The Landslip, at around 21:30. Island Echo understands that the significant movement has completely destroyed the garden of at least 1 property in the area. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter has been drafted in from Bournemouth and is scouring the South Wight from the skies above to get a sense of the scale of the incident unfolding. Island Echo is told that Police are starting to evacuate residents with officers conducting door to door. 
As a result of the slip, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has closed Leeson Road in both directions, severing the arterial road between Shanklin and Ventnor. The road has been closed between Bonchurch Shute and Shanklin. Southern Vectis Route 3 buses are unable to serve stops between Daish Hotel and Chimney Steps until further notice. UPDATE @ 23:50 – The Isle of Wight Council’s Emergency Planning team, who have deployed to the scene, have confirmed that several properties are being evacuated tonight – and a temporary place of shelter is expected to be established in due course. The Council’s homelessness team is on standby to assist, if required. An elderly woman and her dog are among those evacuated. She has said she is in a dazed state and doesn’t know if she will eventually return to any property at all. 
UPDATE @ 00:01 – Incident Commander Inspector Mark Radford of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that his officers are evacuating all properties between Bonchurch Shute and Smugglers Haven, on the sea side of the road only, as well as some properties off Bonchurch Shute below. The landslip is still active and moving, Island Echo is told, so there are fears that the extent of the damage could increase overnight. It’s thought that in excess of 20 homes are currently being evacuated – 1 of those properties has lost an estimated 40m of garden. 
UPDATE @ 00:44 – The Isle of Wight Council has now established a temporary place of shelter at Daish’s Hotel in Shanklin for those affected by the ongoing emergency. Staff are working to find accommodation for those evacuated from their homes and assist with any other needs. 
The full extent of the situation is expected to become clear at first light, with further updates expected throughout Monday.
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