The long-running saga of Undercliff Drive continues.
Over two years since the landslips where Island Roads were carrying out geo-technical roadworks on Undercliff Drive took place, residents are still unable to access their homes and business by road.
In September 2014, the Isle of Wight council approved a budget of up to £500,000 on the re-instament of the road from the West. Nineteen months later and the works have still not been completed.
Planning permission needed
It came to light recently that the works to carry out reinstatement of the highway from the Niton approach – allowing vehicle access for residents in the landlocked section of the road – would be subject to planning permission
Cllr Phil Jordan told OnTheWight there is a need for planning permission because,
“The planned route for the new road has been a changing vision over time.”
The Isle of Wight council have confirmed the planning application has been submitted and will be advertised for public comments from tomorrow (Friday 29 April) (see planning application).
Cllr Jordan added,
“We are expecting the consent and work to start early June and we have told Island Roads that the entire works must be finished by September. They appear confident with that timescale.”
Road being moved inland
The current road, part of which was re-patched by Islanders in October 2014, will be removed and realigned slightly further inland.
In order to accommodate this, Natural England gave permission for tree felling on the land – most of it currently owned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – but due to be transferred to the Isle of Wight council in a land swap.
As can be seen in photos provided by Gary Smedmore of the Undercliff Drive caravan park in March, several trees were felled to make way for the new road.
