Major landslip near Ventnor, Isle of Wight - 10/12/23

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Yesterday evening, the landscape of the Isle of Wight changed forever following a major landslip a few metres from the A3055 Bonchurch Road.

Gardens collapse and cafe 'hanging on' after large Bonchurch landslip

Emergency services have remained on scene overnight.

www.countypress.co.uk

Around 20 properties have been evacuated, 'several' gardens have collapsed, and a tearoom is 'hanging on' following a large landslip in Bonchurch near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
Part of the main road between Shanklin and Ventnor remains closed, meaning a lengthy diversion is in place.
Emergency services have remained on scene overnight and are still in attendance in the Leeson Road area this morning (Monday).

To make matters worse, the road to Wroxall has also been shut for emergency repairs, leaving the road to Whitwell as the only vehicular access point to Ventnor. This means a lengthy diversion via Godshill for anyone trying to get to Shanklin.

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/23982228.two-isle-wight-main-roads-ventnor-will-closed/

A road closure on the junction of Newport Road and Ocean View Road in Ventnor will mean a huge diversion for motorists, due to the diversion already in place on Leeson Road.
Southern Water is to close Newport Road, near the Graben, to repair a damaged sewer.

It is after a dip in the road appeared earlier, and debris gathered at a drain.

It has coincided with the closure of Leeson Road, due to the landslide at Bonchurch.

That represents a huge diversion for motorists travelling from Shanklin.

The diversion will now take in Whiteley Bank, Godshill and Whitwell.

Meanwhile, Southern Vectis buses also face diversions.

It had already warned services could not serve stops between Shanklin Daish hotel and Chimney Steps, until further notice. The nearest stops were Trinity Church or Shanklin Library.

Southern Vectis route 3 is unable to serve Ventnor at all, instead making a double run to Wroxall and back before following service 2's route to Shanklin. A shuttle bus is operating between Sanford Garage (near Godshill) to Ventnor via Whitwell, although Southern Vectis is recommending passengers from Newport use the slower but direct route 6. With a town almost cut off from the outside world in this way, having lost Undercliff Drive several years ago, it poses many tough questions regarding the viability of Ventnor in the long term, as well as the short term implications of businesses losing passing trade. I wonder how long it will be before somebody suggests reopening the railway tunnel for vehicular traffic?

 

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There's a brief aerial video here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-67681796.

 

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Looks like the traffic situation is about to get much worse for Ventnor - Shanklin traffic, as a one way system is being proposed between Whitwell and Godshill to better manage the traffic flow. Traffic will be sent via Niton, Chale and Rookley, adding considerable distance and time to the journey.

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/23985755.isle-wight-traffic-chaos-ventnor-longer-diversion-planned/

Lengthy diversions heading out of Ventnor could be about to get longer, with plans for a one-way system between Whitwell and Godshill.

It will mean traffic leaving the town will instead have to divert via Niton and Chale Green.

Island Roads has said it will “better accommodate the additional volume of traffic currently being diverted along this route”.

A road closure is in place at Newport Road and Ocean View Road, due to a damaged sewer.

A dip appeared in the road yesterday (Monday) and Southern Water is carrying out repairs.

It coincided with the closure of Leeson Road, the main road between Ventnor and Shanklin, due to a large landslip at Bonchurch.

Currently, it means traffic can only access Ventnor via Whitwell Road.

However, Island Roads has now said it wants a one-way system between Whitwell and Godshill.

A spokesperson said: “Southern Water is currently investigating the extent of the damaged sewer at Newport Road, Ventnor. Once these initial investigations are complete, we will have a better idea of how long remedial work will take and, therefore, when the highway can be reopened.

“Naturally, we will be encouraging Southern Water to complete the works as soon as possible.

“We have requested that Southern Water create a one-way system from Godshill to Whitwell to better accommodate the additional volume of traffic currently being diverted along this route.”

It will mean vehicles leaving Ventnor via Whitwell Road will have to turn off at Kemming Road and drive through Niton and Chale Green – adding even longer to people’s journeys.

The closures have also led to disruption on buses.

Southern Vectis said its route 3 cannot serve the area and a shuttle service is in place between Ventnor and Godshill.

Simon Moye, Southern Vectis operations manager, said: “Our route 3 buses are turning at Wroxall temporarily, and we hope to get to Upper Ventnor once the parking restrictions are in place.

Does anyone local know if pedestrian access through the Newport Road closure is possible? If so, it might be worth setting up a car park/bus turning area north of the closure for Ventnor residents to avoid the lengthy detour.