Specialist Rope-Access Team To Inspect Ventnor Retaining Walls

A specialist team will soon be carrying out inspections on some of the Isle of Wight’s most hard-to-reach retaining walls, as part of ongoing work to maintain the Island’s highway network.

Island Roads is responsible for hundreds of these structures, some of which can only be safely accessed using climbing gear.

In April, four walls in Ventnor are set to be surveyed by the rope-access team.

The inspections will help Island Roads assess the condition of the walls and plan any necessary maintenance.

Local company MMC has been appointed to carry out the work at Alpine Road (two structures), Castle Road, and the Cascades.

The surveys are planned for daytime road closures from 8am to 4pm at each site, weather permitting.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at the Cascades during the inspection, and all four sites are expected to be completed within the week beginning 20 April.

Victoria Keefe, Structures Inspection Team Leader at Island Roads, said:

"With such a varied network, we use a range of inspection techniques, including divers, drones, and teams skilled in working in confined spaces.

"Sometimes, it’s necessary to call on specialist rope-access teams, and we’re delighted to be working again with MMC, who have provided an excellent service in the past."