Sea defence work at a popular Isle of Wight seafront is nearing completion, with a large piece of equipment to be removed on Friday (April 26), prompting road closures.

Ventnor’s Eastern Esplanade was closed in November 2022 after a large hole and cracks appeared just beyond the skatepark.

Within days, part of the seawall had collapsed into the sea as winter storms battered the weakened defences.

In May last year, work began to install more than 150 king piles and 146 timber panels in front of the existing sea wall to create new defences.

During the urgent works, contactors discovered further voiding at the site, which required specialist stabilisation works and delayed the project.

On Friday, 30-minute road closures will be active in Ventnor to allow a large piece of equipment to be removed from the site.

Pier Street, at its junction with Albert Street, will be closed to traffic down Shore Hill.

Hambrough Road will be closed at the Pier Street junction, with access only given to residents.

There will also be no access to traffic on Shore Hill from Ventnor Esplanade.

The short road closures are expected to begin at 7am.

Last month, the Isle of Wight Council reported that the final king piles had been installed and estimated that the car park would be reinstated, and the promenade reopened to the public on May 14.