Undercliff Drive hopes have been dashed by the Council

Hopes of the Undercliff Drive reopening to traffic have been dashed by the IW Council.

Council leader, Phil Jordan, has confirmed, in a letter to Ventnor Town Council, that high-level estimates from five years ago have varied between £2million to £8million.

Cllr Jordan said: “Over the last few years the Council has been contacted regarding Undercliff Drive, with requests to re-establish a through route for vehicles.

“We appreciate that there are some members of the community who are not happy with the current situation. The majority of informal feedback we have received is that the current provision provides a popular, pleasant and safe route for walkers and cyclists, and for residents and visitors.

“In 2019 the IWC applied to the Department for Transport (DfT) for funding to reinstate Undercliff Drive. This bid was unsuccessful, and the council does not have the significant funds available to address the issue.

“Since 2019, the council has been in continued dialogue with a number of geotechnical and hydrological engineering experts to gain a better understanding of the geology and hydrology of the area. The current priority is to deliver a remodelling scheme at the junction of Rectory Road, Newport Road, Church Street and High Street, Niton, to improve pedestrian accessibility.

“We will continue to listen to public concerns regarding highway related issues and endeavour to deliver schemes as appropriate on a risk-based approach.”

He said that feasibility work would need to be carried out looking at geology and hydrology in the location, at a cost of £250,000.

A land swap with the National Trust has also been considered, but Cllr Jordan concluded: “The council is currently not minded to consider any rebuild of the Undercliff Drive for through vehicular traffic given the practical and economic constraints. This has been further exacerbated by recent evidence of future land movement in the area of the Undercliff.”