Landslip across Isle of Wight road deemed unsafe to remove

A landslip that engulfed a road on the Isle of Wight has been deemed too dangerous to clear.

An estimated 200 tonnes of earth, plants and trees were brought down by the slip on 13 November across the B3323 between Shorwell and Newport.

Island Roads said: "Until the site stabilises, it is not safe to remove the fallen material as doing so may cause further movement."

The roads firm said the route would be monitored until the site settles.

Island Roads said the substantial landslip followed the recent period of heavy rainfall and the area remained "active due to saturated and unstable material".

Elsewhere on the island, significant ground movement following the intense rainfall has also led to footpaths between Bonchurch and Luccombe being shut for safety.

Isle of Wight Council has urged people to heed warnings and keep away from the edge and base of cliffs across the island.

Natasha Dix, the council's strategic manager for environment, said: "The island has suffered some of the heaviest rainfall it has ever seen, leaving the ground sodden and cliff faces unstable.

"Admire the views from a safe distance and keep dogs on leads."

The authority said the risk was likely to remain high until the spring.

The island was deluged during an amber rain warning on 25 October which caused widespread flooding.

Further yellow warnings for rain and Storm Ciarán followed, leaving the ground water-logged and cliff faces at risk of collapse.

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