The Isle of Wight’s iconic Military Road could be ‘washed into the sea’ in just 2 years, a senior council official has said, though the route could have as long as a decade left. Work is underway to find a solution after holes opened up alongside the road between Chale and Freshwater and erosion continues to eat away at the cliff, in places just yards from the road. The Isle of Wight Council’s director of community services, Colin Rowland, said there are effectively only two potential solutions, moving forward: Re-routing the road further away from the coast; or upgrading existing inland roads to take diverted traffic. At a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s corporate scrutiny committee on Tuesday (6th February), Mr Rowland said 2 issues affect the iconic drive: erosion caused by the sea and the formation of chines from the land. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Rowland said:
“It could be anything between two and ten years before the Military Road is washed away by the sea. “Regardless of any intervention we try to engineer, that is likely to happen. “Any decision is not just based on the need to protect the natural environment, and economic or social factors, but also on the reality the coast is eroding at such a rate you would not be able to engineer yourself out of that situation.”
Last week, Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Phil Jordan said three specific sites are experiencing the “real effects of geological erosion”. The Afton Down stretch, where voids have appeared, is considered to be relatively stable, but the more immediate concern is between Brook and Compton Farm, he said. Re-routing the road inland would secure it for a further 20 years or more, Cllr Jordan said, but could cost more than £20 million. He said the Isle of Wight Council has been in discussion with the National Trust, which owns most of the land, about rerouting and approached the relevant government departments for funding.
The Isle of Wight Councils scrutiny committee should have been scrutinising this problem 10 years ago..
If you can find it the IOW Council actually applied for planning permision for possible changes including moving the road 30m inland and pilling with ground anchors etc in this area which was granted in Nov 2002 ref TCP/23153/-P/00963/99
So we spent 23.7 million on the new traffic light junction at St Mary’s now looking to spend 20million just moving a road inland this seems a lot of money for something that won’t involve multiple traffic lights.
Guess you’ve never heard of return on investment. That 20m will pay for itself 100x in tourist revenue over the next 10/20/30 years
A Senior Isle of Wight Councillor has stated the Military Road could be washed into the sea within two to ten years. I believe if you asked the population of the island at least fifty percent could have told him that five years ago but very little has been done to prevent it happening.
Who is really bothered it is only a road get a life.
If brains were tnt,you wouldn’t have enough to blow your hat off! The most scenic road on the island. And what do most visitors come to the island for? Go on ….. you can do it. OK the scenery, the beauty of the island. And what better way to see that is to travel the whole south coast of the island,then the military road. Its a major part of the island.
I think he is trolling you ? Ignore him.
Everybody moans about speeds along this road, everyone moans about tourists coming here so why keep it open?
Just another over paid senior council official blowing out
hot air.
More Chiefs than Indians
People will inevitably be divided on whether saving MR is worth the cost however IMO those who are against it have no understanding of how much the road reflects the essence of the Island. Closing it will shut off one of the most iconic roads in the country. £20m to reroute? The final figure will be more than that however this is still small beer compared to what the Council spend on other more frivolous projects and income received from tourism.
From looking at the IWC budget I think the Council really are skint and I’m not sure what these frivolous projects are that come to more than £20m.
Yes we know so do something now not in 5 years when its gone..stop spending money on crap and fix it so it lasts 20/30 years more..But we know what will happen…NOTHING.
Must have a Crystal Ball then.
“Military Road could be ‘washed into the sea’ in just 2 years,said Isle of Wight Council’s director of community services, Colin Rowland”
But then again it might not.
Who is this “Colin”? Is he a geologist or an engineer? What is the basis for his claim?
If the inland road work is put out to competitive tender perhaps they can knock off a few million.
We spend millions a day on immigration pouring into the country but bulk about spending £20000000 on shoring up or moving a road utterly ridiculous this country needs to get a grip!
All things considered Cllr Jordan hasn’t got a clue about most things, what he’s probably thinking is how many brown envelopes are going to exchange hands in his favour. Let’s look at what else he’s been involved in and the outcomes (chain link) ferry no one is aloud to know the outcome the white elephant in Ryde still unfinished and over budget!!!! So coatings if it is moved £45k plus certain people are going to make a lot of money!!!
Shoulda thought about this when you built it so close to the edge in the beginning, Maybe!! Hmmm
House Dwellings, Businesses, Roads, all built too close to the shorelines and Failing!!
Why do we pay so much in Council Tax, to put the Council’s failings right?
“T he Isle of Wight Council’s director of community services, Colin Rowland, said there are effectively only two potential solutions, moving forward: Re-routing the road further away from the coast; or upgrading existing inland roads to take diverted traffic.”
No sheet Sherlock!
As someone who grew up on the island and left aged 20, 15 years ago, its shocking to see the level of nievity and ignorance on this websites articles. The MR is not only of transportational importance but hugely beneficial from a tourist revenue perspective. More focus should be put into the wasteful spending by the council on office refurbs and money pits such as the east cowes chain ferry. I will also note the utter stupidity of the backlash against councillors and the mp over the last 15 years yet not one person has credibly stood up in opposition, given the obvious level of support for change e.g fixed link.
If your so bothered, actually do something about it!
All because, as usual, the council refuse to do anything about it. Large rocks on the beach would do a lot of good in both places.
A fundamental lack of leadership has left us to where we are; the loss of the one of the World’s most iconic drives, ride and routes and face of the Island.
If and when is irrelevant. Decisive action is.
BUFFS