By Isle of Wight Observer
Work to stabilise the embankment on St John’s Road, Wroxall – which partially collapsed and caused major disruption – is set to begin in March, and is scheduled to last for two months.
Island Roads will remove tonnes of unstable earth, and construct a new retaining wall, which (as well as providing stability) will improve visibility for road users and those at the nearby bus stop.
The project is due to start on March 2, once the current reconstruction and resurfacing of the village’s main road is complete. Because of the scale of the work, a 24‑hour full road closure will be in place between Appuldurcombe Road and Whiteley Bank for the duration of the scheme. Redhill Lane will also be closed. Island Roads aims to reopen the route under traffic‑light control for the Easter Bank Holiday, and access to properties will be maintained throughout.
The work cannot be carried out under the existing closure, as this would leave properties between the two sites inaccessible. The highway next to the new retaining wall also requires resurfacing, and running two adjacent work sites at once would risk delaying both projects. To reduce disruption, BT will complete preparatory works during the current closure.
Island Roads said large‑scale earthworks cannot be done in winter and they want to avoid the tourism season, leaving only a late‑winter – early-spring window. Although scheduled for eight weeks, the team hopes to finish sooner.
Local firm, DDGA, will partner on the project. Island Roads has already met Wroxall Parish Council and the local ward councillor, and residents will receive letters with further details. The temporary shuttle-bus, linking Wroxall and Ventnor, will continue during the works.
The embankment first slipped in late 2022, leading to months of traffic‑light control until temporary measures were installed in February 2023.