The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed it is still working towards its original timescale in respect of the works being carried out on the landslip-hit Leeson Road.

Deep borehole drilling commenced last month, beginning on September 9, at three locations on the road.

An initial timescale of ten to 12 weeks was given for the scheme, which seeks to investigate, log and sample the geological layers below Leeson Road, to further add to the data of the area following the landslide.

Experts can then use the boreholes to house extensive monitoring equipment throughout the layers and depths, to return continually available data, that indicates various types of underground movement, groundwater levels and pore-water pressures.

Read more: 

The local authority says both it, and Island Roads, are committed to reopening the Ventnor road "as soon as it is practically possible".

Cllr Phil Jordan said at the start of the project he hoped the road would open in five to six weeks, but that timescale has now elapsed

“The road will open once the drilling, coring and sampling of the three boreholes is complete, as well as the installation of the monitoring equipment into the first borehole,” said a spokesperson for the council.

“The ten to 12-week closure period is still the timescale that is being worked towards.

“As soon as we have a confirmed date for the reopening of Leeson Road, we will communicate this to Island residents.’’

The boreholes will be drilled to around 110m deep, with at least one going to 130m deep.

The council is aiming to get the work done before the winter season, with increasing rainfall likely as the months go on.