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Drivers on the Isle of Wight today told of their fears over one of Britain’s most picturesque roads, which is plagued by erosion, branding it an ‘accident waiting to happen’.
Locals said the ‘beautiful’ road that runs on the south side of their island said something ‘tragic’ is bound to happen, as some parts are less than four metres from a cliff edge.
They said it is ‘precarious’ to drive on Military Road and called on authorities to save it because it is ‘the most scenic road in the country’.
The road – which locals say makes the Isle of Wight ‘look like a Mediterranean island’ – offers spectacular sea views and of Freshwater Bay and the Needles.
The drive, which was nominated in 2022 as one of the most scenic in the country by Visit England for its ‘sweeping ocean views’, has suffered a series of major landslides in recent years.
Parts of the 11-mile 60mph road are just four metres from the edge of a 200ft cliff.
Today, locals in the nearby coastal village of Freshwater shared their concerns about the risk of further erosion.
This comes after Island Councillor Becca Cameron raised concerns about a ‘serious risk to life’.
Locals in the nearby coastal village Freshwater shared their concerns about the risk of further erosion
Parts of the 11-miile 60mph road are just four metres from the edge of a 200ft cliff
Last year, the director of community services at Isle of Wight Council said the thoroughfare could be ‘washed away by the sea’ in two to 10 years time.
Vintage clothing shop owner Lindsay Jobling, 48, said: ‘I just worry for all the businesses on this side of the island as it will stop so many people coming down here.
‘It’s one of the main roads to this part of the island, and if it is closed for a while, then it will have a massive effect.
‘Whatever happens, it is not going to be a quick process. Everything around here always takes a long time.
‘It is a beautiful road and people love driving down there and taking photos, especially on a sunny, summer day.
‘When you’re driving along there, it can be quite difficult to see the edge, so some people might not notice it, but it really is a problem.
Claire Johnson, 61, a local charity shop manager, said: ‘Whenever people want to advertise the island, it is always the one they use for photos, and you can see why.
‘I used to drive along there regularly, and you do sometimes notice how precarious the edge is but it is hidden in some places.
The road – which locals say makes the Isle of Wight ‘look like a Mediterranean island’ – offers spectacular sea views and of Freshwater Bay and the Needles
The drive – which was nominated in 2022 as one of the most scenic in the country by Visit England for its ‘sweeping ocean views’ – has suffered a series of major landslips in recent years
‘It would be extremely isolating to Freshwater and this part of the island if it were to be closed.
‘It is National Trust land, which can be difficult to work with as they can sometimes let nature take its course but we need to keep it for the sake of the island.
‘I think it would be a bit selfish for the National Trust to just let it erode away to protect their land.’
Christine Pesterfield, 53, who works on the island as a carer, said: ‘It is the natural flow of things and so it is difficult to come up with a real solution.
‘If the council knew that it could be a problem then they should have had a plan in place years ago.
‘There have been plenty of landslips in other parts of the island over the years. It is happening all over the country.
‘It all depends on what the weather is doing and can be so unpredictable.
‘I don’t think it is all the buses and lorries that go along there. It’s just nature.’
This picture shows how close the edge of the cliff is to the road
They said it is ‘precarious’ to drive on Military Road and called on authorities to save it
Shop assistant, Helen Gibbs, 57, added: ‘It would be a huge loss to the Isle of Wight.
‘They have had some sensors in the cliff but I don’t think they work.
‘I understand that it is a difficult problem, but that road can look like a Mediterranean island at times of the year and we can’t lose it.
‘They have spent some money and I know that more will be needed, but it’ll be worth it in the end.’
Café manager Cath Desant, 56, said: ‘I think one of the car parks along the road is about a third of the size that it used to be.
‘If they closed the Military Road, it would ruin the footfall of people on both ends of the road,
‘I think if they asked big businesses to contribute to protecting their road, then they would help as it contributes so much the island’s economy.
‘It is the most scenic road in the country in my opinion.
‘Another bad winter and it will just get that little bit closer to the edge.
Locals said the ‘beautiful’ road that runs on the south side of their island said something ‘tragic’ is bound to happen as some parts are less than four metres from a cliff edge
Locals are petrified that some day the cliff will crumble even more taking with it the road
Residents are now calling on the authorities to make sure the road remains safe
‘The problem is if they move it back from the edge then in 40 or so years then they will have to do it again.
‘Sadly it could go with no prior warning and then and something tragic could happen.’
Retired mechanic Martin Pocock has lived on the island his entire life.
The 78-year-old said: ‘It is part of the attraction and the history of the Isle of Wight.
‘It is going to go at some point but what have the council done so far? The sensors don’t work and the signs are a joke.
‘The whole of Great Britain is eroding and this area is no different.
‘Sadly it is not impossible that it could go when someone is driving along it and there could be tragic consequences.
‘It could just be an accident waiting to happen but who knows when and where it will happen?
‘We just can’t lose it.’
