The coastal communities of Shanklin and Ventnor have been reconnected following the re-opening of Leeson Road this morning (Wednesday) – although it is set to close again in just over 7 weeks’ time. Residents and businesses in Ventnor are celebrating as the A3055 finally re-opens some 7 months after a major landslide hit the Bonchurch area, leading to concerns for the safety of road users. In the past few minutes, the fencing has been taken down and road closed signs removed allowing traffic to flow along the coast once again. However, temporary traffic lights are in place to keep vehicles on one side of the carriageway. Residents cut a golden ribbon at 10:00 to signal the re-opening, with dozens of vehicles having already passed through – some queueing to be the first. The first Southern Vectis Route 3 bus has travelled from Shanklin to Ventnor.
As first reported by Island Echo, an operative will remain on site 24 hours a day for the next 7 weeks – at significant cost to the taxpayer. The road will then close again at 22:00 on Sunday 8th September to allow borehole drilling to commence. The re-opening – albeit temporary – is good news for Ventnor as the town can now really benefit from the ease of access during the busy Summer period, especially as Ventnor Fringe gets underway on Friday.
Councillor Phil Jordan, council leader, who attended this morning’s re-opening, said yesterday (Tuesday):
“While there remains consistent, if currently minor, movement, we are confident that with the measures we will be putting in place and with electronic monitoring systems now in operation, the risk posed by the prospect of further significant movement is acceptable when balanced against the need to support the Ventnor community through the busy summer season”.
From 9th September, the road will be closed again to allow the drilling of 3x 85m-deep boreholes. These will allow Island Roads to understand the nature of the underlying geology in the area and also allow the additional monitoring equipment to be installed deep underground – something which should have taken place months ago. However, if the borehole work is not ready to start on 9th September, then the Summer holiday arrangement will stay in place. It is unclear at this time how long the borehole drilling in September will take and when the road will permanently re-open – although it seems likely this won’t be until 2025…