UPDATED: VENTNOR’S NEWPORT ROAD TO RE-OPEN TODAY AFTER REPAIRS AT THE GRABEN

Newport Road in Ventnor is set to re-open this afternoon (Friday), restoring access for motorists between Lower and Upper Ventnor. It was on Monday that the road had to be closed at The Graben due to a collapsed sewer. Unfortunately, this corresponded with the emergency closure implemented on Leeson Road due to the major landslide at Bonchurch. Over the past few days all traffic heading in and out of Ventnor had had to travel through Whitwell – a lengthy diversion for all, especially those going to or from Shanklin. Now, Island Roads has confirmed that Southern Water’s contractors have completed the repairs, putting rumours of a 4-6 week closure to bed. The void created has been backfilled and the carriageway is being re-instated this morning, with plans to re-open the road in both directions by 17:00 this afternoon. Leeson Road is to remain closed until further notice, but indications from the Isle of Wight Council earlier in the week suggested the road will be re-opened when it is confirmed movement at the landslip has stopped. UPDATE @ 15:07 – Island Roads state that the road is now expected to re-open by 19:00.