“THIS IS NOT THE END OF IT” WARNS COUNCIL AS AUTHORITY GIVES UPDATE ON BONCHURCH LANDSLIDE

The Isle of Wight Council has warned that last night’s massive landslide at Bonchurch, the worst in at least 30 years, is not the end with more potentially on the way in the coming weeks and months. Monitoring equipment is being set up to allow the local authority to keep a close eye on what is happening on the ground in Ventnor following last night’s collapse of The Landslip off Leeson Road. It’s thought that this huge landslide is as a result of the unseasonable weather seen back in August. It is feared that the record-breaking adverse weather experienced in October and November may not hit until early in 2024, with it taking around 12 weeks for the water to seep down through the land. The pure scale of the landslide has taken everyone by surprise and is said to be the most significant movement in the area since 1994. Officials were simply not expecting so much land to have gone overnight but, thankfully, no property has been damaged and there is no risk to life. However, some 20 properties have been evacuated as the local authority formulates a plan to move forward. Residents are being allowed to return to their properties to collect possessions between the hours of 10:00 and 16:00 and for short periods of time. Security patrols are being set up by the Council to keep empty properties secure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_32yV7xvlI Leeson Road is closed in both directions and is likely to remain so for several days until such a time that the movement stops. The Council says there are no cracks or depressions in the carriageway at this time. Colin Rowland, director at the Council, says that it is the intention to keep the roads open. However, it is said to be subject to safety and any further movement. The Bonchurch landslide of 2023 will now enter the history books. It has changed the landscape forever and has potentially resulted in the sad loss of Devil’s Chimney. The Isle of Wight Council is strongly advising people to stay away from the Bonchurch area with footpath closures and road barriers in place until further notice.