MP 'doing utmost' to save road close to collapse

An MP has said he is going his "utmost" to save a road just metres from collapsing into the sea.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said he was looking into getting money from central government to fix Military Road, which runs along the island's south-west coast.

The cliff is subject to coastal erosion as well as the effects of water coming off the downs.

Leader of Isle of Wight Council Phil Jordan said it was looking into the possibility of rerouting the road further inland.

Mr Seely said he has been in contact with council officers and the National Trust, which owns some of the land, and has written to the government.

There are three specific sites along the road causing concern - the cliff top along Compton Down, and two sites between Brook and Compton Farm known as Sites 14 and 15.

Military Road runs through protected habitats, including an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Scientific Sites of Special Interest, and has been dubbed one of the most scenic drives in the country by Visit England.

The area is identified as "no active intervention" by the council and Environment Agency's Shoreline Management Plan.

This led to a planning application for a short-term solution for Site 14 being recently refused by the council's planning committee.

Bob Seely said he was working with central government to try and fix the issue

The road is the responsibility of Isle of Wight Council, but the surrounding and underlying land is a mix of private and National Trust ownership, Mr Jordan said.

He said the council had had "positive discussions with the National Trust" regarding plans to reroute the road.

But such a plan would cost more than £20m, Mr Jordan said.

"We have approached the relevant government departments for their views on the rerouting option and the availability of funding for such works," he added.

A public meeting to discuss the future of Military Road will take place on 11 February.

The BBC has approached the Department for Transport and the National Trust for comment.