"Neglected" residents of Leeson Road, businesses in Ventnor and wider traffic issues affecting other towns and villages since the Bonchurch landslide are all issues being tackled by a new community group.
A new residents' group is to be formed, to better help those impacted by the Bonchurch landslide, the closure of the main through road from Shanklin to Ventnor, and the knock-on effect in surrounding towns and villages.
Leading the charge is David Groocock, a Ventnor resident who is a former chair of the Isle of Wight Tourist Industry and a former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce.
He is compiling a list of names of interested people, and will be setting up a small working party consisting of representatives from different areas and interests.
One of his main aims is to be the conduit in keeping people informed about what is going on.
One Leeson Road resident said: "We feel totally neglected. No one has ever knocked on our door to speak to us, to see if we need any assistance, or inform us of what is going on. We've never had any communication from the council in any form."
David seeks to address this. He wants to be able to open communication between residents, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council.
He said: "No one has come to residents directly and that's where this group comes in.
"We want to know when the road will reopen and what the criteria is for it doing so.
"We need to know as soon as possible, when it is hoped to open to pedestrians and cyclists, then light traffic and then full traffic."
The road closure doesn't just affect Leeson Road residents, or just those in Bonchurch and Ventnor.
David explained: "The impact can be felt in Whitwell, Wroxall, St Lawrence and Upper Ventnor and beyond, and we will represent each of these places. It also impacts Shanklin, especially the Old Village, so we will get them involved too."
There will be a manifesto of sorts, a small working party, and then a plan of action.
Ventnor councillor, recently elected Ed Blake, met with the group on Leeson Road.
He is pushing for extra monitoring of the road to be installed as soon as possible. There is already monitoring equipment in place, but more is needed to specifically detect the movement, if any, of the road itself.
He said the impact of the road closure on Ventnor businesses is of huge concern.
"We need to get the road open. The town has had four years of difficulty after Covid and with road closures due to building projects.
"Leeson Road is a huge straw but it is is the final straw for Ventnor that could break the camel's back. I am very concerned about businesses in the town.
"At the meeting on Thursday I heard lots of "wants" and "shoulds" but we need certainties."
Barry Bolton, of Leeson Road, raised the issue of the lack of buses along the road.
He said: "Some of us residents here are geriatrics and we are completely cut off. We have to get off at Trinity Church (in Ventnor) and walk back up the hill."
Gill Besozzi, of the Bonchurch Inn, said she worried about the impact on her business, especially as we go towards the Easter season and there were plans in place to close Bonchurch Shute for works, in addition to Leeson Road already being closed.
Mr Groocock said buses, and the availability of the number 31 minibus, was one of the first things the group would look at.
Angie Davies, of Bonchurch, said her main concern was that the hard closure meant walkers and cyclists can't get through, not just vehicles, but the road closure signs and online maps don't make that clear.
She said walkers and cyclists are getting to the closure after a long walk or ride, and instead of turning back they are risking alternative ways through, such as the perilous new cliff edge.
Sanna Dean, a cyclist, said she used to regularly cycle from her home in Niton through to Shanklin, and visibility along Leeson Road and Cowleaze was good, but through Wroxall, it is nowhere near as safe.
To join the group or be put on the mailing list, contact David Groocock on davidgroocock@yahoo.co.uk
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