Isle of Wight landslip hit Leeson Road reopening after 7 month closure

After seven months of closure, the key route between Shanklin and Ventnor is set to reopen for the first time this morning (Wednesday).

The Isle of Wight Council has agreed to do so during the summer holiday period.

It plans to restrict access to one lane by using traffic lights and having a team on site to carry out regular visual checks to ensure the road remains safe to use.

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For the many residents and businesses affected by the closure, the news comes as a huge relief.

Adrian Wheeler, of motorbike dealership, Church Street Motorcycles, told the County Press: "It's had a massive effect on both our business and the town.

"We have lost a huge amount of customers from the East Wight. Hopefully they will return.

"The loss of income will make the coming winter very hard for us.

"Going forward the road needs to stay open. No excuses."

Meanwhile, former parliamentary candidate David Groocock, from group Keep Ventnor Moving, said the news could not have come at a better time, with Ventnor, Fringe, the carnival and Ventnor Day among the events around the corner.

He said: "Keep Ventnor Moving group has been behind the scenes with constant emails to both Island Roads and the council to reconsider the decision to keep the road closed.

"We have also been guided by our geological team who have data backed research that can be used to prove that the road sits above the landslip area and will be safe to use.

"Furthermore we are looking forward to working with the councils appointed experts to work on a long term solution for the entire Undercliff Area, we will be meeting them in the coming weeks. 

"We now look forward to keeping this vital route open and fully support the council's decision to open Leeson Road."

Thanking those who worked alongside him to get the road back open, Ed Blake, councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence, said: "I have said from the start a monitoring system, no matter how basic, can be installed immediately to alert to possible movements.

"We have made it clear that there are suitable options available to monitor the road without causing significant costs to the taxpayer.

"The greater risk on the remaining roads into Ventnor far exceeded the risk of reopening the road.

"It should also not be forgotten that Shanklin was in effect been turned into a cul-de-sac during the road closure and residents and businesses have suffered there too.

"I just hope the road reopening now is enough to save businesses from more hardship or worse this winter."

Rodney Downer, councillor for Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch, said: "Leeson Road being closed has affected Ventnor, Lowtherville and surrounding areas. 

"And Wroxall roads have taken a pounding because there are usually 5,000 vehicles through there a day and now there are 8,000.

"I'm very, very pleased at the news it's going to be opened."

Leeson Road will be re-opened at 10am, until 10pm on Sunday, September 8.

From September 9, the road closure will allow the drilling of three 85-metre boreholes.

These allow Island Roads to understand the nature of the underlying geology in the area and also allow the additional monitoring equipment to be installed deep underground.

Leeson Road after it reopened on Wednesday (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)