Work to stabilise the embankment at St John’s Road, Wroxall, that caused significant disruption when it partially collapsed, will start shortly.
The Isle of Wight Council scheme, delivered by Island Roads, involves removing tonnes of unstable earth and constructing a new retaining wall. The wall will be profiled to improve visibility for highway users and those using the nearby bus stop.
Work is scheduled to begin on 2nd March, following completion of the current major Island Roads project to reconstruct and resurface the village’s main road.
Due to the scale of the embankment works, a full 24-hour road closure will be required between Appuldurcombe Road and Whiteley Bank for the duration of the project. Redhill lane will also be closed for the duration of the works.
Subject to progress on site, Island Roads aims to reopen the road under traffic-light control for the Easter Bank Holiday. Access to properties will be maintained at all times.
This work cannot be completed under the existing closure because doing so would leave properties between the two work sites inaccessible. Additionally, the section of highway adjacent to the new retaining wall requires resurfacing as part of the current scheme. Operating two adjacent work sites simultaneously would also create operational challenges and risk extending both projects.
To minimise disruption, Island Roads has coordinated with BT so the utility company can carry out preparatory work during the current closure.
An Island Roads spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, there is never a perfect time for this type of work. Large-scale earthworks are unsuitable for winter, and we wish to avoid the busy tourism season. This leaves a window in late winter and early spring.
“Although scheduled for eight weeks, we will work hard to finish sooner if possible. We appreciate this work will cause extended inconvenience and thank residents and road users for their understanding.”
To deliver the work, Island Roads will partner with local firm DDGA, known for delivering specialist projects such as the Gills Cliff Road steel netting scheme and also the re-decking of the Cement Mills Viaduct on the Cowes–Newport cycle track.
Island Roads has already met with Wroxall Parish Council and the local Isle of Wight ward councillor to discuss the project. Affected residents will also receive a letter explaining more about the project and how it will affect them.
The shuttle bus service that has provided a connection between Wroxall and Ventnor during the current Island Roads highway improvement work, will continue to run the same temporary service during the embankment project.
The road was temporarily closed before two‑way traffic lights were introduced for several months from late 2022 into early 2023, after tonnes of earth slipped from the embankment and spread across the highway. Temporary measures were installed in February 2023, and the forthcoming scheme will replace these with a long-term solution.
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