Group hopes election year could save Military Road

A new group has been formed to discuss and tackle the problem of the erosion of the Military Road.

The IW Observer last week highlighted the recent landslip at Compton, with Cllr Chris Jarman, for Totland & Colwell, saying: “Enjoy the road while it is still there.”

Lisa Buck, of Ryde, decided she would try and do her bit by setting up the Facebook page ‘Save Military Road IOW’ on Sunday lunchtime, and almost 2,500 people have already joined it.

Lisa, business change manager in IT for the NHS, said: “I have visited the Island regularly for the last 13 years and only moved here full-time in August. One of the things which drew me here was the Military Road; it’s beautiful and a big pull for the Island. I was looking at posts regarding the road while I was at home on Sunday, and just decided to set up a Facebook page, just like that! I’m new on the Island, but this has been an ongoing issue for the last 45 years. I just want to know the current state of play and where everyone is at. I’m playing ‘devil’s advocate’ because the history behind the road is all new to me.

“We all know the road is eroding but we need to get the IW Council, Island Roads and the National Trust together and speak with them, not just about what’s happening now, but what might happen in five years’ time.”

“If we make a fuss, you never know, in this election year then something may actually happen for a change.”
Local councillor Nick Stuart believes that saving the road would cost close to £30 million. He said: “Given the appalling reduced support the Island has had from our taxes paid to central government, the non-arrival of the fabled Island Deal and that local funds will not stretch this far, we need to take the message to Parliament.” Cllr Stuart hopes to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the next General Election.

Cllr Phil Jordan, leader of the IW Council, said that the council has held positive discussions with the National Trust and has approached government departments about the possibility of re-routing the road and the availability of funding. Rough estimates suggest this would cost more than £20 million.

An open meeting will take place at the Seely Hall, Brook, on Sunday, February 11, at 4pm.