Temporary daytime restrictions: Bonchurch Cliffs Promenade

A section of the promenade fronting the Bonchurch Cliffs will be subject to temporary restrictions between late September and November as part of essential coastal defence investigations.

*The area shown is indicative only and highlights the section of promenade that may be subject to temporary access restrictions while desilting works are undertaken.. The final extent, timing and duration will be confirmed in advance of the works.

To minimise disruption to residents and visitors, access restrictions are being planned within weekday working hours. The promenade will remain open during evenings and weekends wherever possible.

The proposed access restrictions to the promenade between late September and November are outlined below. These remain subject to detailed planning and may change. Final arrangements will be confirmed before works commence.

• Weekday daytime closures: closed Monday to Friday, between 8:00am and 6:00pm
• Evening and weekend access: Open every weeknight from 6:00pm to 08:00am and all day Saturday and Sunday (except for localised borehole drilling areas which may be fenced off as part of our investigations).
• Pedestrian safety: Footpath diversion signs will be active on-site to guide pedestrians safely around the daytime work zone
• Duration: The work is currently scheduled to take place between late September and November 2026. The active on site works that require access restrictions are expected to take approximately three to six weeks.

Once initial investigations have been completed, we will have a better understanding of the scale of the works and the likely completion timescales. We will seek to minimise the duration of restrictions and fully reopen the promenade as soon as it is safe to do so. Progress updates will be provided regularly through this project website.

Why these works are necessary

Recent investigations found that inspection chambers along the promenade are heavily blocked with sediment and debris, preventing the CCTV surveys needed to assess the condition of the drainage system.

To clear these blockages, specialist equipment and heavy plant will be required. Due to the limited space available on the promenade, temporary daytime closures are necessary to ensure the safety of both the public and our workforce.

With winter approaching and an increased risk of storms and severe weather along the seafront, it is important that these investigations are completed as soon as possible so we can better understand the condition of the system and plan any future works.

We are finalising the programme and will provide further updates as soon as details are confirmed. Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we carry out these important investigations into coastal infrastructure of the Ventnor and Bonchurch coastline.