PHOTOS: UNDERCLIFF COLLAPSE 10 YEARS ON: A LOOK BACK AT THE 2014 LANDSLIDE

A coastal route severed, homes hurriedly evacuated and the British Army called in – it was 10 years ago that Undercliff Drive near Ventnor dramatically collapsed. Overnight on 7th/8th February 2014, a section of Undercliff Drive suddenly gave way during works being undertaken to stabilise the area. We now know, a decade later, that it was a high-risk scheme and it really didn’t work out… Undercliff Drive remains closed as a through route and some homes remain abandoned. Island Echo takes a look back – in photos – at how the incident unfolded. Remember, back then Island Echo was in its infancy and Isle of Wight news was very different, so things happened a lot slower. It was 2 days before the story was reported here and by other local media. The scale of the situation really didn’t become fully apparent for several days when emergency services descended on The Undercliff to secure the area and assist in removing homeowners’ possessions, as reported on 16th February. The press were kept back as HM Coastguard, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Police began the slow task of evacuating everyone via a small access path – once the main Niton to Ventnor road. It was the day before, on 15th February, that the British Army arrived on the Isle of Wight, complete with 2 Land Rovers underslung beneath a Chinook helicopter. Island Echo was tipped off to their impending arrival so got in position as troops and vehicles touched down at Seaclose Park in Newport. Islanders were later told that the military response was to assess flood damage locally, with some photo opportunities arranged on Ryde Esplanade. That night, under the cover of darkness, further Army vehicles were transported across the Solent and headed straight for Undercliff, the sighting of which by this reporter confirmed suspicions that the military was assisting with the fast-paced situation, as Island Echo revealed at the time. The Council made no reference to Undercliff when they confirmed the Army’s presence on the Island. Military activity continued at Seaclose Park over the next 48 hours or so with 2 Super Puma helicopters landing, and troops transported back to the mainland by Chinook. Now, in 2024, landslides are still hitting the headlines following the massive slip at Bonchurch in December. A public meeting is due to be held later this month to discuss the future of Leeson Road – with many wondering if it will suffer the same fate as Undercliff Drive… PHOTO GALLERY: