Isle of Wight: Councillor unhappy with 'no plan B' for eroding Military Road

Island Roads proposed the stabilisation work between Brook and Hanover Point

A councillor called "the lack of vision" shown by the government and local authority to protect a road threatened by erosion "heart-breaking".

Isle of Wight council rejected Island Roads' proposals for a 26m-long (85ft) wall to stabilise Military Road because of its possible environmental impact.

Councillor Nick Stuart said "it was right to refuse the plans" but found it "shocking that there was no plan B".

He is now calling for more government funding to save the route.

Mr Stuart said: "The key point is money, and given central government has spent years reducing support to our council, while loading on new responsibilities and time-consuming initiatives, it should cough up the cash now."

He claimed that Military Road was a vital route for residents and also highlighted its appeal to tourists.

He said: "The road was built to protect the island and southern England from invasion.

"Now central government seem happy for it to vanish into the waves. Not a great look for global Britain."

Parts of Military Road are less than 5m (16ft) from the cliff edge

Following the refusal of the Island Roads plans, the council has said it currently has no plans to secure the road, which in some places is just metres away from the cliff edge.

Council leader Phil Jordan said work was ongoing to find a suitable, viable and sustainable option to maintain the road.

Military Road runs along the island's south-west coast, through protected habitats, including an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Scientific Sites of Special Interest.

It has been dubbed one of the most scenic drives in the country by Visit England.

The government has said that the road is not under its control and this is something for the local authority to look at.

Councillor Jordan, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "The planning committee's decision to refuse the planning application for stabilisation works to the Military Road considered the economic, social and environmental benefits and harm of the proposal.

"The natural beauty of the West Wight landscape is acknowledged as of national importance through a multiplicity of designations, including being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the wider UNESCO Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve.

"The plans considered by the planning committee were deemed to likely damage these internationally and nationally designated sites, not only harming delicate eco-systems and habitats, but the very essence of what makes this road so special - its scenic beauty.

"The council will continue to explore potential solutions to preserve and protect this important route, and to secure all the necessary consents in a highly protected and geologically sensitive landscape that can be implemented as quickly as possible.

"The road remains open while we continue to work with local communities and landowners to assess alternative options."