‘IT COSTS as much not to do it as to do it’ is the message from Isle of Wight Council leader, Dave Stewart, as he revealed potential plans to reopen Undercliff Drive.

The road — which stretches from Ventnor, through St Lawrence, to Niton ­— has been closed since a landslip in November 2013.

An impact study from Bournemouth University in December 2017 showed that the cost of the road closure in terms of businesses and to the general public has amounted to about £1,448,080 per year but it is estimated that this number is likely to be higher.

Businesses such as Ventnor Botanical Gardens, who experienced a 24 per cent drop in visitors since the road’s closure, were not included in the study.

Cllr Dave Stewart said: “This isn’t just a local issue. It affects Ventnor, West Wight, and the wider Island.

“It’s also a beauty spot and extremely important for travel. There is an impact on the amount of cars that now travel through Niton village, causing road safety and environmental issues.”

The plan to reinstate the road for full vehicle access is to use Geofoam Blocks — from the civil engineering firm JabLite — on top of the concrete that exists already.

“There’s a long journey to get there”, said Cllr Stewart, “but if it works, it can take any vehicle of any weight all the way through.”

The material cost of this solution is estimated at £120,000 with an overall project and installation cost of approximately £1.2 million.

Dr Bruce Denness, a specialist in landslip analysis and stabilisation, has reviewed the area and proposed long term drainage solutions.

It is hoped this work would be carried out in conjunction with reinstating the road to ensure the longevity of the project.

Niton resident, Sue Green, said: “Undercliff Drive is very important for the health of the Island and it’s such a beautiful route so it improves tourist’s enjoyment of the Island.

“It means traffic can go both ways, splitting the impact and easing the roads, so if there is a valid solution, I think it’s a good idea.”

However, Niton Undercliff resident, John Bagshawe, was concerned about the reality of the project being a success.

He said:  “The land is just too unstable underneath. It might last ten months, it might last ten years. I don’t think it would work and it would be a waste of money.”

Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, said: “We really need to get the Undercliff road open. It’s closure is effecting Niton, Ventnor and the wider Island.”

The plan will now need a risk assessment, cost benefit analysis and public consultation before the Isle of Wight Council can agree on a way forward.