A look at Island Roads' major Isle of Wight schemes in Ventnor

The structures team at Island Roads has been tackling many of the issues, with major schemes at Belgrave Road, Ventnor Botanic Garden, Alpine Road and The Spyglass, among others.

The projects represented a substantial investment in the town’s infrastructure.

The Belgrave Road stabilisation project – one of the most complex undertaken on the Island – used local and national expertise to overcome challenging local geological and physical features.

Belgrave Road's fresh new surface. (Image: Island Roads)

In a first for the Island, specialist heavy-duty netting was installed across the failed 150-year-old wall and slope to protect the public.

The survey work that followed was shortlisted for the award of Ground Investigation Project of the Year.

As part of risk-mitigation measures, 20 automated tiltmeters were installed to monitor real-time movement across the potentially unstable site, and a soil-nail solution was adopted to allow installation using small-scale equipment.

Belgrave Road after its makeover. (Image: Island Roads)

In Alpine Road, 85 metres of modern safety railings were installed, matching those of the adjacent former St Catherine’s Church Hall.

At the Spyglass site, the Island Roads team encountered many challenges, not all of them structural.

They had to contend with the potential of unexploded Second World War bombs in the area before starting work on the six-month programme to renovate a 93-metre length of wall and rebuild the parapet wall above.

Alpine Road's modern safety railings. (Image: Island Roads)

The Island Roads team commissioned a UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) site clearance survey to ensure the threat to workers or the public was mitigated.

The RAF radar station at nearby St Boniface Down was a target for the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.

Another challenge overcome was the difficult-to-access section of wall behind the Spyglass Inn.

A total of 85 metres of modern safety railings was installed on Alpine Road. (Image: Island Roads)

Seventy soil nails, ranging from six to seven metres in length, were installed to strengthen the retaining wall.

A timetable of works was agreed with the popular seafront pub.

Over in the Undercliff, a 300-metre stretch of the Ventnor Botanic Garden boundary wall was successfully repaired.

At the Spyglass site, the Island Roads team encountered many challenges. (Image: Island Roads)

Given the unique character of the area, the design and materials used were agreed following discussions with the Island’s AONB partnership and Ventnor Botanic Garden.

The existing masonry retaining walls were repaired while timber fencing above was replaced.

These schemes, and others in the town, were designed to be in keeping with Ventnor’s character.

Work complete at the Spyglass site. (Image: Island Roads)

Jason Boulter, Island Roads senior project manager for structures, said: “As everyone knows, Ventnor is a unique location that we were very keen to preserve.

“During this period of work, we have been working very closely with the IWC Conservation team to ensure we delivered the necessary safety upgrades while preserving the character of Ventnor.”

Stephen Ashman, Island Roads service director, said: “I am very pleased with what our teams have achieved in Ventnor over the last year, they have demonstrated complex technical skills and their ability to develop solutions that are in keeping with the character of this lovely seaside town.

“A big thank you to all the residents who have worked with us and endured multiple road closures or diversions while we were building these schemes.”