Petition Launched Over Ventnor Rock Clearance

“We demand that rocks on our roads are removed in seven days,” a newly launched Isle of Wight petition addressed from a “very angry Ventnor” states.

James Milburn’s 38 Degrees appeal, which has gathered over 150 signatures since going live earlier this week, says six of Ventnor’s roads are “blocked unnecessarily” by “minor rock debris”.

The plea comes after County Hall’s announcement at the beginning of this month that work to clear the town’s Belgrave Road would begin on-site in the autumn, should designs and approvals for a proposed ‘rock netting system’ go ahead.

At the time, Isle of Wight Council service director for highways and community protection Michelle Love said:

“We know the Ventnor community wants to see Belgrave Road open as soon as possible.

“We do too, and we can assure local residents and businesses that we are doing what we can, as quickly as we can, to get the job done.”

Joanne Saunders, Island Roads structures manager, then said:

“This is specialist work which must be done diligently and in accordance with professional advice.

“What may seem like a simple clearance is in fact a complex operation requiring specialist contractors, detailed sequencing, designed temporary and permanent works, and robust risk management.”

Mr Milburn’s petition says:

“Currently six of Ventnor’s roads are blocked unnecessarily by minor rock debris that take a distressing average of 14 months for Island Roads/the county council to clear.

“The latest rock, on Belgrave Road, is much bigger and the inefficiency of the council has ensured that the whole holiday season has been impacted by it. Despite inspections from the authorities, nothing has happened.

“The beach and beautiful esplanade has not been accessible from the west for two years due to the closure of Bath Road. The average clearance of other closures is climbing above 14 months.”

It adds that Ventnor is being “strangled” by the council’s “inefficiency and bureaucracy”.

A protest on the matter will be held on September 6 at 2pm from The Rex restaurant.

The petition can be found here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/get-your-rocks-off-ventnor-roads-now.

Isle of Wight Council has been approached for comment.