Major work to strengthen the retaining wall behind the Spyglass Inn at Ventnor has been completed.

Island Roads had to contend with the potential of unexploded Second World War bombs in the area before starting work on the six-month programme to renovate a 93-metre length of wall and rebuild the parapet wall above.

The Island Roads team recognised the danger of unexploded wartime munitions early on and following an initial desktop assessment they commissioned a UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) site clearance survey to ensure the threat to workers or the public was mitigated. The UXO risk is because the RAF radar station at nearby St Boniface Down was a target for the Luftwaffe during World War 2.

The scheme was designed to meet both conservation requirements and vehicle and pedestrian containment standards.

Another challenge overcome was the difficult to access section of wall behind the Spyglass Inn.

Seventy soil nails (passive anchors), ranging from six to seven metres in length, were installed to strengthen the retaining wall by Island company Corefix who worked alongside another local firm, Stoneham Construction, on behalf of Island Roads

A timetable of works was agreed with the popular seafront public house, Spyglass Inn.

Island Roads senior projects manager – structures, Jason Boulter, said: “This has been a complex project but now complete it will enhance the look and safety of this part of Ventnor, that is so loved by Islanders and visitors.”