Leeson Road information.
We understand the effect the current closure of Leeson Road is having on residents and businesses, particularly those in the Ventnor area.
Both Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council are keen to keep the local community fully informed about what is being done in respect of managing this important strategic route.
As part of that aim, we have created this webpage on which we will share relevant updates on Leeson Road. This page also contains the answers to some of the questions already raised.
In addition to this page, we will, of course, continue to liaise with the local community and its elected members. A further public meeting in the town will also be arranged in the near future.
From the outset, we would like to make the following points absolutely clear:
It remains the intention of Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council to re-open Leeson Road as soon as it safe to do so.
Before making any decisions, we need additional, reliable, data to help us understand both the ongoing geological movement in the area and also, the potential risk of further failures.
While we cannot at this stage state a timescale for the re-opening, we will ensure that the public is regularly updated with all the information relevant to this important, and difficult, decision.
Please do check back here for updates. If you have any queries relating to Leeson Road then by all means email coastal.recovery@iow.gov.uk
Update 8 – June 28 2024
Gills Cliff Road and Leeson Road
Safety work that will allow Gills Cliff Road in Ventnor to re-open will begin shortly.
Local company DDGA has been appointed to deliver the Gills Cliff Road scheme which is hoped will be completed by early August.
Gills Cliff Road has been closed for safety reasons since a significant rockfall sent tonnes of debris spilling onto the highway in February.
The forthcoming work will see large sections or the rockface covered by heavy-duty steel netting designed to prevent further debris from falling onto the highway.
The solution has been agreed by Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council following extensive surveys of the area. One challenge has been to identify areas within the rockface where it is safe to anchor the netting without causing further weaknesses.
It is difficult to give definitive timescales due to factors such as the unstable nature of this site and the need to source bespoke materials but we are all doing our level best to complete the work and re-open the road as soon as we can.
Island Roads also confirmed it was working with Ventnor Fringe organisers to assist with any specific transportation issues they may be facing in the run up to the event.
Plans for the three 85-metre boreholes in the Leeson Road area are progressing and these could be drilled in August.
The purpose of these is twofold: firstly to help understand the nature of the underlying geology in the area and secondly to allow monitoring equipment to be installed deep underground.
The data gathered from these devices will add to that already being collected and will assist Island Roads and the council in the aim of creating an early warning system that will be pivotal to the intended re-opening Leeson Road.
Work on possible models for an early warning system is already underway.
Free 1 hour parking offer
The free one hour parking scheme introduced in Ventnor this week will continue until Friday, 19 July.
The Isle of Wight Council is currently offering motorists free one hour parking at Central, Eastern Esplanade, The Grove and La Falaise car parks.
People must still get a ticket from the machine and display it in their windscreen to benefit from the offer.
The scheme aims to help businesses in the town while Southern Water carry out essential repairs to its infrastructure on Newport Road.
Ventnor Town Council also offers free parking at its Dudley Road, Pound Lane and Market Street car parks on Saturdays, between 10am and 4pm.
Update No 7 – June 25 2024
A guide to travelling to and from Ventnor during Southern Water works at the Graben.
A section of Newport Road, known as ‘The Graben’ – which links Ventnor and Upper Ventnor – is closed from 24 June for two weeks to allow Southern Water to undertake essential maintenance on its infrastructure beneath the road. During this time, vehicles are being diverted in and out of the town to the west (via Whitwell). To assist with traffic flows, a number of temporary restrictions have been put in place for the duration of the works.
Here is a guide to travelling in and out of Ventnor from various directions for motor vehicles excluding HGVs:
I’m travelling from Shanklin direction…
From Shanklin head towards Godshill via the Whiteley Bank roundabout. Continue through Sandham into Godshill. After you pass Godshill Primary School (on your right), take a left turn into West Street as the road bends to the right. West Street leads onto Whitwell Road, which you follow all the way to Ventnor (part of the road has been made one way from Merryl Lane in a southerly direction). When you reach Gills Cliff Road, turn left, go up the hill where you will come to Ocean View Road. Follow this road down into the town centre.
Returning from Ventnor
Exit the town via Whitwell Road off Gills Cliff Road. Follow the road to Whitwell, when you reach the church turn left into Kemming Road, which leads to Niton. At the junction with the village shop to your right, turn right onto Newport Road which leads to Rookley. In Rookley, when you reach the main road, turn right through Rookley village and return to Shanklin via Godshill, Sandford, Whiteley Bank.
I’m travelling from West Wight (via Military Road) direction…
At the eastern end of the Military Road, follow Blackgang Road into Niton. At the junction opposite the village shop, go straight on to Rectory Road (signposted Whitwell), continue to Whitwell, turn right onto Whitwell Road (part of this road has been made one way from Merryl Lane in a southerly direction), which you follow all the way to Ventnor. When you reach Gills Cliff Road, turn left, go up the hill where you will come to Ocean View Road. Follow this road down into the town centre.
Returning from Ventnor
Exit the town via Whitwell Road off Gills Cliff Road. Follow the road to Whitwell, when you reach the church turn left into Kemming Road, which leads to Niton. Once in Niton take your usual route back to West Wight.
I’m travelling from Newport direction…
From Newport, head out of Newport towards Blackwater, then turn right onto Blackwater Hollow which leads to Rookley. Continue through the village of Rookley until you reach Godshill. Before you get to the village centre, turn right into West Steet (where the road bends to the left, this road will lead you to Whitwell Road (part of this road has been made one way from Merryl Lane in a southerly direction), which you follow all the way to Ventnor. When you reach Gills Cliff Road, turn left, go up the hill where you will come to Ocean View Road. Follow this road down into the town centre.
Returning from Ventnor
Exit the town via Whitwell Road off Gills Cliff Road. Follow the road to Whitwell, when you reach the church turn left into Kemming Road, which leads to Niton. At the junction with the village shop to your right, turn right onto Newport Road which leads to Rookley. In Rookley, when you reach the main road, turn left onto Blackwater Hollow and head back to Newport.
I’m travelling from Ryde direction…
Make your way to Godshill via your chosen route, once in the village turn into West Street which leads onto Whitwell Road (part of this road has been made one way from Merryl Lane in a southerly direction), which you follow all the way to Ventnor. When you reach Gills Cliff Road, turn left, go up the hill where you will come to Ocean View Road. Follow this road down into the town centre.
Returning from Ventnor
Exit the town via Whitwell Road off Gills Cliff Road. Follow the road to Whitwell, when you reach the church turn left into Kemming Road, which leads to Niton. At the junction with the village shop to your right, turn right onto Newport Road which leads to Rookley. In Rookley, when you reach the main road turn left if heading back to Ryde via Newport or turn right for routes across the Downs or via East Wight.
I’m cycling to Ventnor…
Newport Road (at the Graben) will be closed to all vehicles but cyclists may dismount and push their bicycles via the pedestrian route which will remain open throughout the works period.
I’m on foot…
A pedestrian route will remain open along Newport Road (the Graben) for the duration of the works.
I drive an HGV or very large vehicle…
Drivers of HGVs or large vehicles should follow the routes into Ventnor as outlined for vehicles above, HOWEVER on exiting the town, rather than returning north via Niton, HGVs should continue along Blackgang Road from Niton and turn right onto the B3399 via Chale and rejoin Niton Road via Appleford Road.
More information
A map of the diversion can be found on the Southern Water website HERE
Information about amended bus routes can be found HERE
Update No 7 – June 28 2024
Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council can offer some positive news on the ongoing issues affecting access in and out of Ventnor.
Both organisations have been working with various partner agencies to resolve the current issues affecting the town and can now provide updates in three areas.
In addition, safety work that will allow Gills Cliff Road in Ventnor to re-open will begin shortly while plans for 85-metre boreholes at Leeson Road are advancing with this specialist work – which will help provide data needed to inform a decision on re-opening the road – possibly beginning within weeks.
As the further evidence from the boreholes are gathered and analysed, this will enable the decision to be made, whether to road is re-opened either fully or partially, in the autumn.
A council spokesman said: “We fully understand the problems being faced by the Ventnor community as a result of recent events and we have been working hard with numerous agencies and partners to find resolutions to what are difficult and highly technical issues.
“Our intention remains to re-open all these important routes as soon as we are confident it is safe to do so and I am glad to say that while there is still work to be done and issues to be overcome, we are making steady progress.
“The progress made this week by Southern Water at Newport Road is the most immediate bit of good news but we are also moving forward on the other more complex issues at Leeson Road and Gills Cliff Road also.
“This work will continue and I can assure residents that we are all pulling together with the common aim of improving access in the town as soon as it is possible.
Local company DDGA has been appointed to deliver the Gills Cliff Road scheme which is hoped will be completed by early August.
Gills Cliff Road has been closed for safety reasons since a significant rockfall sent tonnes of debris spilling onto the highway in February.
The forthcoming work will see large sections or the rockface covered by heavy duty steel netting designed to prevent further debris from falling onto the highway.
The solution has been agreed by Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council following extensive surveys of the area. One challenge has been to identify areas within the rockface where it is safe to anchor the netting without causing further weaknesses.
An Island Roads spokesman added: “Since the initial rockfall, we have been working closely with the council to agree a suitable solution that will enable us to safely re-open the road.
“I’m pleased to say we have now instructed a local company who have worked extensively in the local area.
“It is difficult to give definitive timescales due to factors such as the unstable nature of this site and the need to source bespoke materials but we are all doing our level best to complete the work and re-open the road as soon as we can.”
Island Roads also confirmed it was working with Ventnor Fringe organisers to assist with any specific transportation issues they may be facing in the run up to the event.
Plans for the three 85-metre boreholes in the Leeson Road area are progressing and these could be drilled in August.
The purpose of these is twofold: firstly to help understand the nature of the underlying geology in the area and secondly to allow monitoring equipment to be installed deep underground.
The data gathered from these devices will add to that already being collected and will assist Island Roads and the council in the aim of creating an early warning system that will be pivotal to the intended re-opening Leeson Road.
Work on possible models for an early warning system is already underway.
Free 1 hour parking offer
The free one hour parking scheme introduced in Ventnor this week will continue until Friday, 19 July.
The Isle of Wight Council is currently offering motorists free one hour parking at Central, Eastern Esplanade, The Grove and La Falaise car parks.
People must still get a ticket from the machine and display it in their windscreen to benefit from the offer.
The scheme aims to help businesses in the town while Southern Water carry out essential repairs to its infrastructure on Newport Road.
Ventnor Town Council also offers free parking at its Dudley Road, Pound Lane and Market Street car parks on Saturdays, between 10am and 4pm.
Update No 6 – June 19 2024
Residents are reminded that important work by Southern Water to repair its infrastructure at Newport Road, Ventnor, will begin next week.
The start date of June 24 was agreed following discussions between the Isle of Wight Council, Southern Vectis, Southern Water and Island Roads, to ensure Southern Vectis had the capacity to provide bus services in and around the area — including shuttlebuses to serve St Francis Primary School pupils.
More information about home to school transport arrangements as well as shuttle bus services is available on the Southern Vectis website. Affected schools have already been contacted.
The work is scheduled to take two weeks and it follows feedback from the recent public meeting in Ventnor where it was felt it was best to undertake the required work as soon as possible rather than risk the situation becoming worse meaning more lengthy emergency works may be required later in the year, possibly at the height of the tourism season and without advance warning.
Though the location is a particularly difficult one, with five-metre deep excavations required, Southern Water will be working extended hours to keep the project on track — or ahead of schedule if at all possible.
Island Roads will also be undertaking inspections of the diversion route in advance of work starting to ensure the extra traffic can be accommodated safely.
Pedestrian access will be available past the works at all times. One side of the pavement will be closed for safety reasons and one side open to the public to use. Signs on site will direct people to which section of the pavement they should use.
Southern Water has a communications plan in place to keep residents informed of developments in respect of work. This includes a letter drop to around 9,500 homes and also text alerts to residents.
The council has also arranged for the concessionary travel scheme to be extended during the period of the closure, so that it includes the following journeys in either direction:
Update No 5 – May 24 2024
The Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads have been working with Southern Water to agree a plan around important work to maintain the sewer at Newport Road (the Graben) in Ventnor, which was discussed at last week’s public meeting.
The feeling of the meeting was that it was better for Southern Water to undertake the required work as soon as possible rather than risk the situation becoming worse meaning more lengthy emergency repair works may be required later in the year, possibly at the height of the tourism season.
We have therefore agreed that Southern Water should undertake this work between June 17 and June 28. Because deep excavations are required, a 24-hour road closure will be necessary during this period.
We have worked with Southern Water to design a traffic management plan and diversion routes that will ensure the safe movement of traffic.
June 17 is the soonest practical start date for the work given the steps needed in advance of the road closure. These include advertising and implementing the various road orders and giving residents enough required notice of the diversion. The network also has to be clear, where possible, of other works that may affect the diversion route.
An Island Roads spokesperson said: “We realise that this work will inevitably cause disruption, particularly while Leeson Road remains closed.
“However the feeling of the recent public meeting in Ventnor was clear that Southern Water are able to undertake the work as soon as possible ahead of the main holiday season and before the ongoing movement at the Graben causes further major damage to infrastructure which would take far longer to remedy.”
Meanwhile the council is currently commissioning safety work to enable Gills Cliff Road to be re-opened as soon as possible. Unfortunately, though this work is being done as a priority, it will not be possible to re-open Gills Cliff Road prior to the start of the Graben work.
The council is currently engaged in legal action to secure repairs to the retaining wall adjacent to Bath Road which is delaying the ability to reopen this route in the town.
The spokesperson added: “The current volume of road users on Ocean View Road is not expected to change as a result of the Newport Road closure, as this is already the favoured route people take into the town.”
Update No 4 – May 10 2024.
The road closure in place for safety reasons following the major landslide off Leeson Road at Bonchurch has been shortened.
The move, agreed by the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads, has seen the car park at the far end of Smugglers Haven re-opened and the barriers moved enough to allow walkers access to Nansen Hill and onto the downs.
The car park is not in an area geological experts believe may be at risk of movement.
However, the road closure remains in effect from the signs lower down Leeson Road at the junction with Bonchurch Shute.
This will remain shut until the necessary ground investigations have been completed. The data from these investigation will be considered, along with the data from the recently installed monitoring equipment, to reach a decision on the safety implications of re-opening the road.
Update No 3 – May 9 2024.
The next Ventnor residents’ meeting hosted by the Isle of Wight Council will take place on Tuesday 14 May in St Catherine’s Church, from 5pm to 6.30pm.
The meeting will include an update on the reopening of Ventnor Eastern Esplanade later this month and next steps for Leeson Road following the installation of specialist monitoring equipment.
The agenda also includes an update on the Environment Agency’s Ventnor coastal programme as well as an opportunity for residents to ask questions.
**NOW SOLD OUT (updated 10.5.24)**
The meeting will be by ticket only to contain numbers within the fire safety limits of the venue.
To obtain a mobile eTicket, please click here.
Residents can if they wish submit questions in advance by emailing: coastal.recovery@iow.gov.uk
Update No 2 – April 24 2024.
| An array of specialist hi-tech equipment that will monitor any ongoing movement in and around Leeson Road in Ventnor has now been installed.
Island Roads staff have been working with site investigation experts SOCOTEC to install monitoring equipment that will measure and record lateral and rotational ground movement. The data gathered will help Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council make informed decisions about the future of Leeson Road. The array comprises three extensometers to measure and record changes to visible cracking and 22 tiltmeters recording rotational ground movement. This will shortly be complemented with three global navigation satellite sensors providing remote monitoring of vertical and horizontal land movement. The council will be addressing the current situation at Leeson Road as well as other access issues currently affecting the town, at a further public meeting in the town next month. More details will be announced shortly.
|
Update No 1 – April 11 2024.
The installation of specialist equipment to monitor any movement around Leeson Road is due to begin on Monday.
Data from nearly 30 pieces of equipment will enable the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads to make informed decisions on the future of the strategic route between Shanklin and Ventnor. The equipment will measure any vertical and horizontal movement and also monitor any widening of existing cracks.
The council and Island Roads have also created a new webpage to highlight latest information on Leeson Road and other access issues affecting Ventnor given ongoing issues at locations such as Newport Road and Gills Cliff Road.
The upper section of Leeson Road has remained closed since a catastrophic landslip in December 2023 when 16 hectares – some 14million cubic metres of land – was displaced in what was one of the largest landslides recorded on the South Coast of England.
Leeson Road passes close to the back of the landslip and expert advice has recommended the road remains closed until more is known about the risk of further major movement. This is particularly so given that the heavy rainfall that was identified as a cause of the original landslip has persisted.
Subject to no further movement, favourable weather and the necessary permissions being given to install the equipment on private land, preparatory work will be undertaken this week followed by the installation of the equipment itself in the week commencing April 15.
The type and number of equipment and the locations at which it will be placed has been decided in consultation with industry experts. The array comprises three extensometers to measure and record changes to visible cracking, 22 tiltmeters recording lateral ground movement, three global navigation satellite sensors providing remote monitoring of vertical and horizontal land movement.
For more information on this monitoring please use the following link https://islandroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Leeson-Road-FAQs.pdf
Report it Online