THE ISLE of Wight Council is yet to confirm an official opening date for the landslip-hit Leeson Road – despite works nearing completion.  

Ventnor works to sink three boreholes is expected to be completed this week.

The local authority says two of the boreholes are already completed.

The first of these is 115 metres deep and houses an array of inclinometers which records ground movement.

The second is to a depth of 130 metres and also houses an inclinometer.

Boring to this depth allows for gathering data about groundwater conditions across the wider area — over and above what is needed for the safe re-opening of Leeson Road.

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The third borehole has proved more challenging.

This is after casing became stuck in the greensand layer and numerous attempts to retrieve it failed.

The council says it was necessary to drill an alternative borehole nearby to house the agreed monitoring equipment: several piezometer tips which record underground water pressure.

Underground water is a major factor in ground movement.

“The aim is to sink this borehole to 100 metres,” said a spokesperson for the council.

“We anticipate this depth will be reached this week, after which the monitoring equipment can be installed.

“The original borehole will be backfilled because the casing stuck within it prevents any meaningful monitoring.

“We anticipate the third borehole will be completed and all instrumentation installed by the end of the ten-to-12-week timeframe previously communicated.

“We can assure residents that our intention remains to re-open the road as soon as we are satisfied it is safe to do so, and we have agreement in place to ensure effective ongoing management.

“We will continue to keep the community informed.”

A further update is expected later this week.