The seaside town of Ventnor will be further isolated for a total of 11 days following the announcement that sewer works are to be undertaken at The Graben next month. The Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads have been working with Southern Water to agree on a plan around important work to maintain the sewer at the geological fault in Ventnor, which was discussed at last week’s public meeting – as previously reported by Island Echo. The feeling of the meeting was that it was better for Southern Water to undertake the required work as soon as possible rather than risk the situation becoming worse meaning more lengthy emergency repair works may be required later in the year, possibly at the height of the tourism season. The Council has therefore agreed that Southern Water should undertake this work between 17th-28th June. Because of the need for deep excavations, a 24-hour road closure will be necessary during this period. All traffic will be diverted via Whitwell in both directions. It is understood that 17th June is the soonest practical start date for the work given the steps needed in advance of the road closure. These include advertising and implementing the various road orders and giving residents enough required notice of the diversion. The network also has to be clear, where possible, of other works that may affect the diversion route. A Council/Island Roads spokesperson said:
“We realise that this work will inevitably cause disruption, particularly while Leeson Road remains closed. “However the feeling of the recent public meeting in Ventnor was clear that Southern Water are able to undertake the work as soon as possible ahead of the main holiday season and before the ongoing movement at the Graben causes further major damage to infrastructure which would take far longer to remedy.”
Meanwhile, the council is currently commissioning safety work to enable Gills Cliff Road to be re-opened as soon as possible. Unfortunately, though this work is being done as a priority, it will not be possible to re-open Gills Cliff Road prior to the start of the Graben work. The council is currently engaged in legal action to secure repairs to the retaining wall adjacent to Bath Road which is delaying the ability to reopen this route in the town. The spokesperson added:
“The current volume of road users on Ocean View Road is not expected to change as a result of the Newport Road closure, as this is already the favoured route people take into the town.”
Why legal action, probably costing more for legal action than just get on and repair. Home owner will of paid tens of thousands of pounds in council tax over the year’s.
This Council has to be slowest in Country to do simplest of things and just waste everyone’s time and Council tax .
Your council is slow, but I can promisw you we in Thurrock have in fact got the slowest council. XD
There needs to be some serious consideration given to how the Godshill — Whitwell road is used as the diversion. At the very least it needs rigidly enforced low speed limit. I guess making it one way would be too much to ask.
Given that will be the only way in and out of Ventnor during these works I think a one-way restriction might not exactly be a good plan. (Unless you want to see just how many vehicles you can trap in Ventnor at one time)
If the railway lines to Ventnor and Ventnor West hadn’t closed it would have been a lot easier to get in and out of the town.
If the piers at Ventnor and Shanklin had survived it would have been easy to organise a regular ferry service for residents and tourists.
Sad times for the town.
Time to rebuild the piers, a great way of getting to
Ventnor.
Wise words.
I would absolutely LOVE to see the railway restored in Ventnor, the old ventnor west route was reputed to be one of the most scenic in the uk. 🙂
Because of Mother Nature and our Victorian ancestors it seems the works need to be done, but I will wait for the Karen’s and Kevin’s to comment as the obvious know better than everyone else!!!
Does anyone else think the final statement that Ocean View road is the preferred route strange given that is now the only ‘main’ route available, so of course traffic flow will continue as is as everyone will now have to take the only other alternative….
Open leeson Road with temporary traffic lights to allow one way at a time whilst works are being done . Just buses via Whitwell. Simple . Ventnor has suffered enough
Couldn’t they knock down some of the houses further down the hill from the graben and run the road down that way, or use the old railway line route into ventnor?
Dickhead there are only houses on the right.
It will not be long before Ventnor is cut off, and the Navy and Marines will have to help, to get residents and supplies in ans out.
It would be wise not to buy any house there until or unless this access is ever settled.
Could be in deep negative equity if buying now
In Victorian times, before the railway, boats used to ferry in food and supplies. I can see this being a part of Ventor’s long term future as it’s clear Leeson Road is doomed and the long term viability of Castle Road and Gills Cliff Road is highly questionable. Best start planning for it than pouring millions into roads that will continue to fall into the sea.
Why not use St Lawrence Shute as a one way to leave Ventnor on to Whitwell and Ocean View made one way into Ventnor as this is less likely to cause congestion on Ocean View.
How about having St Lawrence Shute as a one way out of Ventnor and Ocean View one way into Ventnor making it a gyratory route, therefore no congestion on Ocean View.