Running along the southern edge of the Isle of Wight’s downs, Military Road overlooks the stunning emerald sweep of Brighstone Bay.

Thousands of visitors each year glimpse the breathtaking view of the white chalk cliffs, towering out of the sea along the coast to Freshwater.

But the elements are now taking their toll as coastal erosion threatens long stretches of the road.

Campaigners now want the picturesque route saved.

Rapid erosion

While coastal erosion has been affecting Military Road for the last three decades, the process has speeded up considerably in the last few years, including this past winter.

Fresh water coming off the downs has eaten away at the cliffs, creating new chines (valleys) and bringing the cliff edge perilously close to the road.

A tarmac car park has huge ‘bites’ out of it with a jagged line where the land has just fallen away down to the beach below – barriers have gone up to stop cars going over the edge.

The edge of the road itself is so close to the coast now that on one stretch it has been reduced to to one lane.

Not only is Military Road the main route along the south west coast of the island, it is also a major draw for tourists.

Four thousand people are supporting a campaign to lobby the council to stop the road from falling into the sea.

Potential solutions

The Isle of Wight Council has said a permanent solution could cost up to £10m which, in the current times of tight finances, the council insists it cannot afford.

Bypassing the worst spot would cost £500,000 but would only buy a short amount of time as the erosion continues to gnaw into the coastline.

The likely solution is that the middle section will be closed, creating two cul-de-sacs and sending traffic inland through nearby villages like Brook.

These tiny villages could face a fivefold increase in traffic, as traffic from the island’s main south coast road is diverted through the narrow village streets, many of which do not have footpaths.

Brighstone parish councillor David Tolfree said: “It’s totally unsuited to the volume and nature of the traffic – coaches and heavy vehicles. This increase in traffic will basically destroy the village.”

Mr Tolfree insisted the parish council had been “lobbying for years” about the erosion issue and something should have been done before the road reached critical stage.

He said: “This isn’t something new – this has been predicted and it seems there hasn’t been any contingency for this occurrence.”

Council finances

With council finances tight, and no funding from central government, the island’s road authorities say they cannot afford the £10m estimated to keep Military Road open.

Edward Giles, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for environment and transport, explained gaining planning permission would be a long and costly process, given the land needed for a diversion is owned by the National Trust.

He said: “There are a great deal of difficulties in diverting the road because of the various conservation designations which affect the land.”

Campaigners point to the council recently agreeing a £300 million Private Finance Initiative scheme initiative for the island’s highways. But Mr Giles insisted the scheme is solely for road maintenance and “not available” for diverting roads suffering from erosion.

A public consultation will offer local people the chance to air their opinions before the council’s cabinet decide the fate of Military Road, probably in September.

Mr Giles said: “If we have a dialogue, it would better inform everyone as to what the problems really are.”

Story by Dominic Blake on the BBC website