Latest news with #IslandRoads
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Ventnor highway clearing plan starts after 'significant rockfall'
A strategy to remove tonnes of fallen rock from an island highway is set to Road in Ventnor suffered a "significant rockfall" in March and the road has been closed Roads has confirmed technical experts would be visiting the site on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the a statement, the organisation explained the experts would need to check the risk of further falls from the rockface before rock removal can start. The road construction company said: "It is important to outline the necessary process we need to follow, to clear the site and re-open the road to ensure public safety."As part of the technical expert's assessment, they will remove vegetation and any loose debris from the Roads explained it was developing the "best way" to remove debris from Belgrave Road."This is not an easy task given the weight and size of some of the rocks, the confined nature of the site and the risk of rocks falling from the site and cascading down the steep slopes, potentially damaging property below," it added. The firm said it would "likely be necessary" to erect a containment structure as a safety precaution, but chemical demolition was also being considered to remove the Roads continued: "It is difficult to put a precise timescale on the removal at this stage given further assessments are required and some of the specialist work required will need to be put out to tender to ensure best value for the council and ensure that the best solution is achieved."Island Roads has acted swiftly on receipt of the instruction to begin work and shares, along with Isle of Wight Council, a determination to re-open the road as quickly as possible."It said based on current information, it was "unlikely" the road would be re-opened until autumn "at the earliest".Pedestrian access ahead of a full re-opening is being considered, as well as extra signage to help visitors navigate the island over the summer. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
29-06-2025
- BBC News
Motorists face disruption after Cowes to Newport road closure
Motorists have faced long delays following the closure of the main road between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight for Hill, on the edge of Newport has been closed to support the construction of 203 new homes at Acorn Farm. Tailbacks have been reported on the diversion route along Forest Cowes floating bridge began crossings an hour earlier than usual at 05:30 BST to help with connections to the Red Funnel vehicle businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on trade. A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) due to roadworks was reinstated earlier this week after being lifted for the duration of the Isle of Wight road is due to remain closed to northbound traffic until 7 July and will also be closed in both directions for the remainder of this weekend and of Wight Council previously said the diversion and one-way system, which exempts emergency vehicles and daytime buses, was needed to prevent long traffic delays between Newport and a statement, the authority added: "Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads and Captiva are working together to ensure that the works are completed in as short a time a possible to minimise the disruption." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Continued road closure — businesses and community "increasingly fed-up"
Karl Hunter, Ventnor: For 18 months, Bath Road in Ventnor, one of only two roads that lead down to the seafront, has been closed by Island Roads, due to a breach in a roadside wall that caused debris to spill onto the highway. With no date set for repairs or removal of the debris, business owners and the community are increasingly fed-up with the lack of action, and are concerned they may be facing another summer season with Bath Road remaining closed. In light of these frustrations, and with a few other volunteers, I attempted to clear the road. Read more: Delayed legal dispute over blocked road angers local councillor However, before we could complete the task, as expected, an Isle of Wight Council employee arrived and, although sympathetic, informed me we did not have a permit to work on the road. Following this, the council and Island Roads issued a joint statement: 'The closure of Bath Road followed the collapse of a private wall, and it is the responsibility of that private landowner to make the required repairs.' But is this correct? It will be for a court to decide who is responsible for the wall. Read more: 'Risk of a further collapse' blocks clean-up efforts reopening Ventnor road We have been led to believe the landowner is being taken to court: 'The council is currently engaged in legal action to secure repairs, which is delaying the ability to reopen this route in the town." In actual fact, the landowner is taking Island Roads to court. He is appealing to revoke a formal notice served against him by Island Roads on April 8, last year, to make repairs under section 167 of the Highway Act 1980. The landowner's appeal, lodged on April 22 last year, supports an argument the wall was built by the council, or its predecessors, long after the property above was built, and so given the council was the body responsible for construction of the wall, it is the council's responsibility to repair it. Read more: "It's been too long" – Frustrated residents take action to clear blocked road As yet, there is still no court date set. The handling of Bath Road has highlighted what I believe is a bigger issue. Island Roads is not considering the impact on the community and local businesses in their decision-making processes. A solution should have been implemented to keep the road open. It is Island Roads' view that even if debris was cleared away, there remains a risk of a further collapse. I have been working with Ventnor businessman David Groocock, a member of Keep Ventnor Moving, and Paul Realey, an independent structural engineer from PTR Consulting Engineers, to mitigate Island Roads' position and construct a temporary solution to get Bath Road reopened for the summer season and beyond. Read more: No end in sight for Ventnor road closed after wall collapse Following a joint site inspection, Mr Realey drafted a report that detailed a temporary solution to brace the breach from further collapse, at a cost of £9,500, plus VAT. Some might say a sizeable sum, but the likely economic benefit to local businesses, especially those along the front, will, by far, outweigh the cost. The alternative is to wait for a court date and then probable appeal, which could see Bath Road remaining closed for this season and the next. I would urge the council and Island Roads to take up this relatively inexpensive solution, for the economic benefit to Ventnor, in these financially difficult times. An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: 'The council and Island roads have not been approached by anyone but would be happy to review any independent proposals put forward to repair the wall. These would need to be reviewed by structural engineers to ensure that any repairs made were structurally sound and the road could be reopened safely. The council and Island Roads will continue to work through the legal process to determine to owner of the wall and instruct them to carry out the necessary works.' Send your letters to editor@
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'That road is in a disgusting state' - Sinkhole sparks frustration in Shanklin
A sinkhole has opened up on an Isle of Wight road, raising safety concerns for drivers and residents in the area. The large hole has formed on Whitecross Avenue, at its junction with Ceder Drive in Shanklin. Island Roads has been at the scene this evening (Sunday, March 30), assessing the situation. Locals say the issue has not come as a total surprise. The sinkhole on Whitecross Avenue (Image: Mike Voice) Recommended reading: Island shoplifter 'freaked out' in dock over prospect of jail Poorly Isle of Wight girl Cassidy Ley, 20 made charity ambassador One nearby resident said they noticed that the hole 'started appearing' at the start of last week. Another resident did not mince words, saying: 'That road is in a disgusting state anyway. It should be resurfaced completely.' Concerns about the road's long-term condition have now resurfaced – quite literally – with some residents recalling previous incidents. The sinkhole has appeared where the road was previously resurfaced (Image: Google Maps) 'It was filled last year, as we had to go inspect,' said one, 'it was literally about ten feet round and about six feet deep.' Drivers are being advised to proceed with caution and to consider alternative routes while the area remains under inspection. The County Press has reached out to Island Roads for comment.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Significant rockfall' closes Isle of Wight roads
A "significant rockfall" has blocked a coastal road on the Isle of Wight, police have said. Debris and large boulders crashed onto Belgrave Road in Ventnor when part of the cliff face gave way on Friday night. A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "No injuries have been reported and no properties are reported to have been damaged." Belgrave Road and Esplanade Road remained closed on Saturday and an inspection by Island Roads and the council was expected to take place later. An Isle of Wight Council spokeswoman said the authority and Island Roads would continue to monitor the "significant rockfall" at Belgrave Road and would take "all appropriate action" to protect the public. This would include extending the current road closure if necessary. There needed to be a detailed assessment of the movement "as this area is known to suffer from geological instability", the spokeswoman said. She added: "Island Roads and the council will then work towards determining what action is required to ensure the safety of the area with the intention of removing the fallen rocks and reopening the road at the earliest opportunity. "As always, this will be done when we are sure no further imminent movement is likely at this location." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Island landslip site road fully reopens Landslide victims supported with new council role Isle of Wight Council
