6 days Ago
A seaside Isle of Wight town currently has three roads due to structural collapses - so what will happen next? In an email seen by the County Press, the Isle of Wight Council has provided an update on Bath Road, Belgrave Road and Southgrove Road in Ventnor. Bath Road, shut since October 2023, remains the centre of a dispute over a collapsed wall between the council and the landowner, with one resident, Karl Hunter, organising a clean up of the road's heavy debris. A large, overhanging rock fell onto the carriageway of Belgrave Road on Friday, March 7.
Read more: Belgrave Road to remain closed for foreseeable future following collapse Frustrated Isle of Wight residents clear debris from Ventnor road The road has remained shut ever since Ventnor Rock fell onto the carriageway. Southgrove Road also remains closed after several months of inconvenience. Bath Road Bath Road (Image: IWCP) A notice has been issued by Island Roads to Mr Burrows, to make the necessary repairs to the wall in order to reopen the road.
However, Mr Burrows has appealed the notice, stating that the wall does not belong to him. The future of the road is dependent on the court decision. If the magistrates decide Mr Burrows does not own the wall, then the council can decide to repair the wall alongside searching for the owner to recover the costs.
If the decision is that Mr Burrows does own the wall, the council can carry out repairs and recover the costs from him. Community group Keep Ventnor Moving has been in touch with the council with plans for a temporary solution to brace the breach. The plans can be submitted to Island Roads for technical review to determine if the proposed repairs are sufficient to reopen the road.
Cllr Jordan has agreed that the council will fund these repairs in the interim from the highways capital budget, and then reclaim the costs from the appropriate owner through the court process, if required. Belgrave Road Belgrave Road (Image: Steve Mew) The council said it has tried to make contact with the registered owner of the rock, Hugh Rock, but has received no response. A legal notice will now be served on Mr Rock, instructing him to remove the debris - if he does not respond, then the debris will be removed, and the costs recovered through the magistrates' court if required.
Island Roads must compile a failure report following surveys of the rock and make recommendations on the best removal method. Joe Robertson MP said: “I cannot understand why there has been no action or even a timeline of action presented. I totally understand residents’ frustration.
” Cllr Ed Blake has been campaigning for swift action to reopen the road. He said: “The ongoing delays are unacceptable. Residents deserve clear communication, swift action, and above all, a safe and accessible route through their town.
” Southgrove Road The wall on Southgrove Road is listed as unregistered land, but this doesn't mean it isn't owned. The council can write to the property owners within the piece of unregistered land, requesting them to confirm ownership and boundaries of each property. This will determine if any of the neighbouring properties are the owners of the wall.
If the owner is identified, the council will engage with the land owner, instruct them to make repairs and take action through the courts, if required. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate. You must verify your phone number before you can comment.
Please enter your phone number below, and a verification code will be sent to you by text message. Please enter the six-digit verification code sent to you by SMS. Your verification code has been sent a second time to the mobile phone number you provided.
Your verification code has been sent a third time to the mobile phone number you provided. You have requested your verification code too many times. Please try again later.
The code you entered has not been recognised. Please try again You have failed to enter a correct code after three attempts. Please try again later.
.
