Bath Road Reopening Delayed Again As Ventnor Legal Dispute Drags On

A long-running legal battle over the closure of Bath Road in Ventnor has been delayed once again — pushing any resolution back until August.

The road has been shut since October 2023 after a structural failure caused part of a retaining wall to collapse, cutting off access to Ventnor Esplanade from the town’s southern end.

Residents and councillors have repeatedly called for urgent action, but a court hearing expected to bring clarity at the end of January failed to reach a decision.

Ventnor councillor Ed Blake confirmed the latest setback in a video update to residents, saying the case — which centres on who owns the land and who is responsible for the damaged wall — has now been adjourned until 5th August.

The hearing was due to take place in Worthing on January 28th.

Cllr Blake has branded the delay “unacceptable” and says he has met with Isle of Wight Council Chief Executive Wendy Perera to push for temporary measures while the legal

process continues.

He said:

“Now, plainly, this is unacceptable.

“I’ve had a meeting with the CEO, and what we’re going to do is have a meeting with the Legal Services Team and Island Roads to get the solution sorted temporarily before that court date in August.”

Previous reports say proceedings were already slowed by a court error, with the landowner denying responsibility for the collapsed wall — leaving Bath Road closed while legal ownership remains unresolved.