Plan to clear 'significant' road rockfall to begin

A strategy to remove tonnes of fallen rock from an island highway is set to begin.

Belgrave Road in Ventnor suffered a "significant rockfall" in March and the road has been closed since.

Island Roads has confirmed technical experts would be visiting the site on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the damage.

In a statement, the organisation explained the experts would need to check the risk of further falls from the rockface before rock removal can start.

The road construction company said: "It is important to outline the necessary process we need to follow, to clear the site and re-open the road to ensure public safety."

As part of the technical expert's assessment, they will remove vegetation and any loose debris from the rockface.

Island Roads explained it was developing the "best way" to remove debris from Belgrave Road.

"This is not an easy task given the weight and size of some of the rocks, the confined nature of the site and the risk of rocks falling from the site and cascading down the steep slopes, potentially damaging property below," it added.

The firm said it would "likely be necessary" to erect a containment structure as a safety precaution, but chemical demolition was also being considered to remove the rocks.

Island Roads continued: "It is difficult to put a precise timescale on the removal at this stage given further assessments are required and some of the specialist work required will need to be put out to tender to ensure best value for the council and ensure that the best solution is achieved.

"Island Roads has acted swiftly on receipt of the instruction to begin work and shares, along with Isle of Wight Council, a determination to re-open the road as quickly as possible."

It said based on current information, it was "unlikely" the road would be re-opened until autumn "at the earliest".

Pedestrian access ahead of a full re-opening is being considered, as well as extra signage to help visitors navigate the island over the summer.

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