WORRYING signs of land movement and potential future slippage under Leeson Road in Ventnor have been discovered.

The new findings were revealed in a video detailing the major landslide in Bonchurch last year. Scroll down to watch

The footage, produced by Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council, highlights the extent of the December landslide and the subsequent geological investigations.

It also outlines the measures taken to keep Leeson Road operational last summer and the ongoing efforts to fully reopen it.

The foundations of a property overhanging the scarp.Video still of the foundations of a property overhanging the scarp. (Image: Island Roads) The video includes striking drone shots of the area, showing the before and after effects of the landslide, which displaced millions of tons of land.

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Some homes remain precariously perched on the newly formed cliff edge.

Maddy Clewett, Island Roads' geotechnical engineer, described the landslide as "unprecedented" and "the worst on the Island in living memory."

She observed that the rear scarp, a cliff formed by faulting or erosion, has been cut back from 30m behind the Smugglers Haven cafe to just 10m.

A video still of Bonchurch before last December's landslide.A video still of Bonchurch before last December's landslide. (Image: Island Roads) .... and after the landslide..... and after the landslide. (Image: Island Roads) A range of monitoring equipment is being used at the site to assess the ground conditions.

This includes 22 tilt meters, three draw wire sensors, four GNSS receivers and a drilling rig.

Boreholes are being drilled to a depth of 130m, with core samples taken to a laboratory for testing.

Leeson Road at the closureLeeson Road at the closure (Image: IWCP)

Jo Saunders, the business and structures manager at Island Roads, said: "The initial findings are that since the landslide, our sensors have detected some seasonal movement and we've seen a continued collapse beneath the rear of the cafe, reducing the distance between the cliff and Leeson Road.

"Our visual inspections have also identified new fissures and cracks in the face of these cliffs and behind the landslip area.

A video still of core samples taken from the Leeson Road area of Ventnor, for lab testing.A video still of core samples taken from the Leeson Road area of Ventnor, for lab testing. (Image: Island Roads) "The borehole drillings have also revealed some evidence of slip surfaces in the mudstone layer beneath the road.

"In simple terms, these are 'polished' edges, which suggests further slippages may develop at these depths — especially after prolonged periods of rainfall.

"This is a really complex issue at Leeson Road.

"The magnitude of what happened is being taken seriously by all, and it's getting that balance of socio-economic and engineering risks right, so we can make the decisions to ensure the future of Leeson Road and get people moving through Ventnor again."