A meeting is on the cards for local residents to discuss the future of the Isle of Wight’s iconic Military Road. A gathering will take place at 16:00, at Seely Hall in Brook, on Sunday 11th February. It comes as a local councillor fears a solution to save the coastal route, stretching from Freshwater to Chale, could cost millions. Councillor Nick Stuart, for Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet, the area through which the Military Road runs, says he has had ‘several lengthy discussions’ with the Isle of Wight Council and the National Trust about its future. He is planning a public meeting to hear the thoughts and ideas of those living nearby and said:
“The Military Road is a critical transport link for the West Wight and an iconic road for the Island. “It is under severe threat and we want to see a solution that will preserve it for as long as we can.”
Holes – or voids – have recently opened next to the highway, shutting a footpath. It has prompted calls from Islanders for something to be done and Cllr Stuart says the Isle of Wight Council and National Trust are ‘behind preserving the road’. Councillor Stuart, who is seeking selection as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Wight at the next general election, said:
“We are looking at a possible cost of close to £30 million [to save the road]. “Given the appalling reduced support the Island has had from our taxes paid to central government, the non-arrival of the fabled Island Deal and that local funds will not stretch this far, we need to take the message to Parliament.”
Local MP Bob Seely, who has written to ministers, Island Roads and the National Trust about Military Road, has said:
“We need to everything we can to keep the Military Road open. I will be working with Council officers and those Councillors who wish to work as part of a team effort, to make sure that happens.”
The newly-created ‘Save Our Military Road’ Facebook group has garnered more than 2,000 supporters in a few days.
I’m sure it will cost several millions, however i’m not convinced about the drone image? Sure it’s been that dramatic for several years? There’s nothing to debate the road is a vital connection from West Wight to the south of the Island. The lost revenue from businesses such as The Wight Mouse IW Pearl would be catastrophic. The council have wasted enough money over the years on consultants and overpaid officers that this should be as easy as night follows day. Just work out a solution to keep it OPEN.
As the section in most danger of falling into the sea is only short in length then all is needed is a compulsory purchase of land and dig out the chalk from the inland side and sell it for aggregate OR tip it over the edge into the sea where it is going anyway.
Whilst this will leave a steeper inland chalk face this could be contoured and / or netted to prevent danger to drivers.
I have seen mountains of hard rock much steeper cut inland using stainless steel nets for protection
Funds from central government should be made available to reroute the road. That is the only solution. But do not let Island Roads do the work or it will be shit.
I was under the impression the government can make a compulsory purchase on any land. So why can they not buy the golf club , divert the road, so it goes round the back if Brook, hulverstone, brightstone, etc NO you won’t be able to see the sea but there will still be a road
If Seeley is involved, it’s doomed. He won’t be an MP for much longer.
Please do not let the council be in charge of it, just look at the fiasco of the floating bridge.
I am confused about the Military Road and hopefully one of you can give me the answers.
The photograph of the void at the top of the hill showing the path closed and how close the cliff is to the road ~ this has been all over local and national news. But there has not been any cliff falls here, there is no fresh chalk showing on the face and no fresh chalk spoil at the base of the cliff. If you compare the photo to those taken 30 years ago it’s almost identical, no movement.
It is Brook and Compton which is the problem because that is made up of sloppy clay and mud.
So which part of the road needs moving.?
Why should I have to pay for this road to be repaired, I never use it or go to that area of the island.
Same reason we pay to fix your road
If they eventually manage to stop the boats, then in due time the millions saved can be put towards good use tor the people of our own country who have actually worked for a living and pay our taxes. Then at least we can all see value for money for our labours in the form of a safer and repaired or replaced road when the time comes. Road Tax or excise duty cones to mind too?
local councillor fears a solution to save the coastal route, stretching from Freshwater to Chale, could cost millions.What a prick but ?3/4/5 MILLION on the floting turd was ok was it !!!! and what about the millions back from tourism..but if let go why bother coming here… so narrow minded its pathetic..yes its only 20 feet or less in 2 or 3 places now i go along that road 2/3 times a week i dont think its going to be here in 3/5 years it WILL have to be moved inland..but we know…no money will be put forward.So yes it will go and that’s that,so all use it while you can.
The council are more concerned with expenses and pensions.
Who really cares it is not going to make any difference to the island
The Island is falling apart.
I doubt if the Road Road between Shanklin and Ventnor will ever re-open, bit like
The Undercliff.
Now the Military Road is collapsing.
STOP building on this crumbling Island, the island cannot cope.
The Military Road is not just historic and a vital main artery on the Island it is also one of our commercially important roads that is an attraction for tourism. Saving the road may cost tens of millions but not doing anything and allowing it to close will no doubt create a hit on our income from that sector. Commenters on here like Fred and Bob Bailey don’t have a clue.
You are not going to stop coming to the island because a crappy road has collapsed. You still have the middle road and Yarmouth road so what is the problem