A ROAD in Ventnor which has remained closed since a significant rockfall wiped out traffic lights in February, is set to reopen next month.

Work to make safe Gills Cliff Road in Ventnor is "progressing well", with the section set to be re-opened to traffic on Friday, August 9, the Isle of Wight Council has said.

READ MORE: Isle of Wight landslip in Ventnor hits traffic lights and shuts road

Gills Cliff Road has been closed on safety grounds since a significant rockfall sent tons of debris cascading onto the pavement and road on February 23.

(Image: County Press)

A set of traffic lights were destroyed in the rockfall, which saw boulders so big, they had to be broken up before they could be removed.

In recent months, Island Roads has been working on a design to stabilise the cliff face.

The solution, being installed by local company DDGA, will see a netting of high tensile steel, anchored to the rockface by 70 rock anchors — or dowels.

The 300m square area of netting will support the rockface and prevent any more boulders, that do become loose, from falling into the street.

A similar, though not permanent solution was also used on the recent project to make Ventnor's Belgrave Road safe, before it was reconstructed.

Aerial view of the rock face which collapsed in FebruaryAerial view of the rock face which collapsed in February (Image: Isle of Wight Council)

Welcoming the news, Cllr Phil Jordan, the leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: "It was always our intention to open up access to Ventnor as soon as it was safe to do so. 

"These processes do take time, but we have been working away behind the scenes to find solutions to difficult engineering challenges.

"I am pleased progress is being made."

Madeline Clewett, an Island Roads geotechnical engineer, added: “I am sure Ventnor residents will be relieved work is underway, and the re-opening of Gills Cliff Road is now very much in sight.

“We are once again happy to have been able to call on the expertise and skill of a local company to deliver this project.”

The planned date for the completion of the work is subject to factors, such as adverse weather, or other on-site conditions encountered.