EXCLUSIVE Fears one of Britain's most scenic roads just four metres from a cliff edge could crumble into the sea as drivers call it 'an accident waiting to happen'
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'.
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.
'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.'
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.
'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?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Revealed: The increasing cost of summer holiday childcare
The cost of childcare for the six-week summer holiday is projected to rise by at least four per cent across Britain, with parents facing an average bill exceeding £1,000 per child. A report found the average weekly cost for a holiday childcare club has increased to £179, with Wales recording the highest weekly price at £210, followed by England at £178 and Scotland at £168. Families in the UK pay an average of £1,076 for six weeks of holiday childcare, which is £677 more than the cost for six weeks in an after-school club during term time. Councils have reported a significant shortage of holiday childcare places, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with some English regions having no adequate provision. The Coram Family and Childcare charity is calling on the government to provide more funding, training, and support for holiday childcare providers, and to maintain the holiday activities and food programme.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Savvy holidaymaker makes £560 by booking another ticket at the airport
Cameron Frank, 30, was asked to give up her seat on a Delta Airlines flight from Chicago, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, after the plane was overbooked, and she thought quickly on her feet A savvy woman pocketed £560 by cleverly booking a second plane ticket while at the airport. Cameron Frank, 30, was en route from Chicago, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, with Delta Airlines when she struck gold. Upon arrival at the airport, Delta announced the flight was overbooked and offered her a cool £750 to vacate her seat. Quick on her feet, Cameron discovered an American Airlines flight leaving half an hour later for a mere £186. After being refunded for her original flight by Delta, the quick-thinking wardrobe stylist from Chicago booked the cheaper option, netting herself a tidy £560 Cameron shared: "It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision so my heart was definitely racing. I had taken credits for being bumped off a flight before but never straight cash and never to run for another plane. I'm just happy it's worked out in this way!". Heading to a crucial business meeting with investors, Cameron faced a dilemma when asked to surrender her seat. Since her clients had covered the cost of the flight, she seized the opportunity Delta presented with their offer. Cameron reflected: "I do feel I was more confident in trying this out with a flight I hadn't actually paid for so there was a bit less to lose. But because I was on the way to a business meeting, it was really important I got there on time." Although Delta offered her a spot on the next available flight for free, the timing didn't suit her schedule. She explained: "The next Delta flight would have been too late. This which made me look at what other flights were available. which is when I saw the American Airlines one leaving in 35 minutes." Cameron was set to depart from Chicago O'Hare Airport, a sprawling international hub with multiple terminals. Her original Delta flight was scheduled to leave from Terminal 3, but she found an American Airlines flight departing from Terminal 5. In a frantic dash, Cameron sprinted between terminals, which involved hopping on the airport train, and managed to reach her gate just in the nick of time. Afterwards, Cameron contacted Delta to see if they would offer compensation for the missed flight. To her surprise, the airline responded positively and refunded her the cost of her ticket in company credits - a sum of £394. Cameron said: "I hadn't even thought about asking for compensation for the first flight until my friend suggested it to me. I emailed Delta honestly not expecting much, but they got back quickly and were happy to help. "I travel a lot for my job so having airline credits is actually quite valuable to me, so I'm very happy with the outcome. Also, the hotel where I had my business meeting in Detroit had a casino and I was feeling lucky so I played some Blackjack that night. I ended up winning with an £597."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Huge blow to Brit drivers as more than half of Britain's busiest airports hike ‘kiss & fly' parking fees
UK MOTORISTS are being slapped with price increases as more than half of Britain's busiest airports have hiked their kiss-and-fly parking fees. Out of the 20 most popular airport, 11 have upped their drop-off prices since last summer, according to car service agency RAC. 4 4 4 4 The worst offenders now charge as much as £7 for a stop that could last less than ten minutes. These hefty drop-off charges are found at Gatwick airport, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Southampton and Stansted, which handle millions of passengers every day. Rod Dennis from the RAC blasted the charges, saying: '£7 for a stop that could be no more than 10 minutes does seem a little steep. "And the fact that these costs keep going up year after year is going to be a huge source of frustration for anyone dropping off a friend or loved one this summer.' Pulling up and waving someone off could cost you £7, but some airports, including Luton or Manchester, charge a fiver for five minutes. Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool have also all bumped up their kiss-and-fly rates by £1. Cardiff Airport was previously free but has now slapped a £3 fee for 10 minutes on drop-offs for the first time. The RAC branded the move a "cash grab", with experts saying UK airports are 'taking advantage' of drivers who have little choice but to cough up. In other airports in Europe, nine of the ten busiest airports don't charge a penny for drop-offs. Airports like Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle allow you to drop loved ones off for free while only Amsterdam Schiphol only charges £2.17. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport Some UK airports claim there are free park-and-ride options further away but many argue it's unrealistic for many passengers. Holidaymakers with lots of luggage or mobility issues may struggle using drop-off spots further away. Karen Dee from Airports UK tried to defend the charges, saying they help reduce 'congestion, noise, carbon emissions and air pollution' and that they're 'mandated' by local authorities. She also argued the money supports 'a wide variety of flights'. But many stunned drivers are taking to social media to express their disbelief. One wrote: 'I collected my daughter's friend at Luton airport, dropped her off on their holiday at Stansted, collected them back at Stansted and finally back to Luton - £24 in total for about 20 minutes." Another fumed: "It's daylight robbery, you're penalised for doing a good deed." Gatwick said the charge helps cut congestion and funds green transport projects. Blue Badge holders are still exempt at Gatwick, Belfast and Southampton, but many feel the rising costs are simply punishing people for saying goodbye. Southampton insisted fees were reinvested into the airport to secure 'new routes for the region'.
