Ground investigation survey work starting in Ventnor

From Monday 13 July 2026 (for up to three weeks)

We are carrying out a range of survey works along Ventnor seafront and surrounding areas to help us better understand the condition of the existing coastal defences and the services and infrastructure located beneath and within them.

The information gathered will help inform more detailed ground investigations planned for later this year as we continue to develop plans for Ventnor's coastal future.

The work will involve specialist handheld equipment and scanners that allow us to investigate beneath the ground surface without digging or causing disruption.

What you might see

During this period, you may notice survey teams working along the seafront between Steephill Hill Cove and Monks Bay carrying out activities such as:

  • Surveying beneath the ground surface using specialist scanning equipment

  • Inspecting sections of the coastal defences

  • Cleaning small areas of the sea wall to allow detailed condition surveys to take place

  • Accessing existing inspection chambers and manholes where required

  • Welfare & storage facilities in a secure compound that will temporarily be established at Eastern Esplanade (next to the skatepark)


Compound location at Eastern Esplanade

Temporary parking restrictions

To support the survey work, 27 parking spaces at the Eastern Esplanade Long Stay Car Park, nearest the skatepark, will be temporarily unavailable.

The affected spaces will be closed:

  • all day on Thursday 16 July

  • until 1pm on Friday 17 July
The remainder of the car park will stay open as normal.

Wheelers Bay

A small area in Wheelers Bay will also need to be accessed for a short period as part of the surveys. This will require the temporary relocation of a small number of dinghies. Affected users have been contacted directly and arrangements made to minimise any inconvenience.

Keeping disruption to a minimum

There will be:

  • No planned digging

  • No planned road closures

  • Very little noise

  • No restrictions to access for residents, businesses or visitors


Aside from seeing our welfare facilities in a secure compound that will temporarily be established at Eastern Esplanade, or survey teams working on site most people are unlikely to notice any significant impact from the works.

Please note that separate maintenance works are also currently taking place on Eastern Esplanade, near the skatepark. These works involve repairs to the seawall and are being carried out by OPEX on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council.

If you have any questions about the survey work, please contact the project team at IOW_FDschemes@environment-agency.gov.uk