Major work to strengthen the retaining wall behind the Spyglass Inn at Ventnor has finally been completed after more than 2 years, allowing the road to re-open in both directions.
Island Roads had to contend with the potential of unexploded Second World War bombs in the area before starting work on the 6-month programme to renovate a 93m length of wall and rebuild the parapet wall above.
Although the project was 6 months in length, it was in March 2021 that part of the Esplanade was closed for investigation works. Safety barriers were erected along the length of the wall. With this, a one-way traffic system was introduced.
The Island Roads team recognised the danger of unexploded wartime munitions early on and following an initial desktop assessment they commissioned a UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) site clearance survey to ensure the threat to workers or the public was mitigated. The UXO risk is because the RAF radar station at nearby St Boniface Down was a target for the Luftwaffe during World War II.
The scheme was designed to meet both conservation requirements and vehicle and pedestrian containment standards.
Another challenge overcome was the difficult-to-access section of wall behind the Spyglass Inn.
70 soil nails (passive anchors), ranging from 6 to 7m in length, were installed to strengthen the retaining wall by Island company Corefix who worked alongside another local firm, Stoneham Construction, on behalf of Island Roads.
Jason Boulter, Island Roads’ senior projects manager for structures, has said:
“This has been a complex project but now complete it will enhance the look and safety of this part of Ventnor, that is so loved by Islanders and visitors.”
Just days after the road re-opened cracks became evident in the carriageway, which has been noted by locals.
A tenth of the price and only a few months work and more environmentally friendly IF they had used Gabion cages of stainless steel constuction.
Still, we pay so they don’t care.
Stoneham Construction are a great firm. The need to do an historic UXO search was painting the lily, in my opinion. However, long and awkward jobs must be paid for and searching for bombs where, historically no bombs fell may have been very convenient. Top job all the same. Road safe now and, more importantly, Spyglass Inn safe!