Isle of Wight landslide repeat fear for couple aged 79

Tons of soil collapsed onto the busy B3327 — the main Whiteley Bank and Ventnor route — near its junction with Appuldurcombe Road in Wroxall, on the night of November 16, 2022.

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Tom and Jennifer Evans, who live in a bungalow on St John's Road, directly above the steep, 25ft high embankment, say they warned the Isle of Wight Council in June 2021 of cracks developing at the top.

(Image: County Press)

How it looks in front of the Evans's house currently, with a safety barrier and sandbags in place until repair works begin. (Image: County Press)

By November 7, 2022, the couple's fence was hanging over the edge at an acute angle. Nine days later, the fence and a four-metre section of the embankment collapsed into the road below.

At that time, Wroxall councillor, Rodney Downer, believed the soil originated from the old steam railway cuttings and railway tunnel between Wroxall and Ventnor, and feared work to investigate and repair the affected area would take time. 

And so it has proved.

The council, which owns the embankment, assumed responsibility and drew up plans to tackle the repairs — estimated to take eight to ten weeks, with St John's Road closed completely throughout, Tom was told by the authority.

The couple, both aged 79, were subsequently given two different start dates for the work to commence — but both were cancelled, the first in September last year and the second, May 6.

The safety barrier and sandbags in place at the top of the embankment, just feet from the Evans's property. (Image: County Press)

Pensioner, Tom Evans, beside the safety barrier on top of the embankment, which collapsed less than two years ago. (Image: County Press)

The knock-on effect of delays is that Jennifer, who suffers severe mobility problems, is isolated at home.

Without the repairs, work on the couple's bungalow to create ramps, so Jennifer can use a mobility scooter, has left her "feeling like a prisoner" in her own home.

"She is in a lot of pain and moves very slowly. If she wants to go to Newport, it takes her 20 minutes to walk to the bus stop, just across the road," said Tom.

"It's something an able-bodied person can do in about a minute. She needs a scooter to give her independence. She feels trapped."

In between the cancelled repair dates, Leeson Road in Bonchurch — the main route between Ventnor and Shanklin — closed following a major landslide last December, which led to much greater volumes of traffic passing through Wroxall.

Leeson Road was reopened last month, which gave the Evans's hope work would soon start. 

However, their efforts to get a third start date from the council has been fruitless.

And with Leeson Road shutting again in September, closing St Johns Road would appear to be unfeasible, given the limited routes available to and from Ventnor.

It is a situation which has left the pensioners in limbo.

The couple are also concerned a further landslip could leave the property unsellable.

Tom and Jennifer Evans are frustrated and deeply concerned about their property and how trapped she feels while they wait for delayed work to start on the embankment in Wroxall.. (Image: County Press)

"If there ever comes a situation Jennifer needs to go into a home and I have to sell up, I won't be able to. I'll be snookered," said Tom.  

"It's had a massive impact on our lives. I'm concerned my wife needs some quality of life, because her mobility is only getting worse.

"It's frustrating. Leeson Road has been open long enough for them to do this job. 

"We moved to the Island ten years ago for a better life, but now it's knackered."

The IW Council has been contacted for a comment.