By Isle of Wight Observer
It’s been six months since the Isle of Wight became our home. But for 15 years prior, it was mine and my husband’s holiday haven, where one of the highlights was always the Military Road.
Memories of renting supercars and cruising along the cliffside are etched in my soul. Now, as residents with our trusty VW camper, the road offers serenity and stunning vistas.
The Military Road is a lifeline for tourism, and the news of the void at Afton, from Philip Sheath’s drone footage, sent shivers down my spine.
My business change expertise sparked an idea: create a platform for awareness and support. I created the ‘Save The Military Road IOW’ Facebook page, and it exploded with 2,000 members in a week rising to over 3,000 in a fortnight.
Tourists and residents alike voiced their concerns. We amplified an existing petition, secured local and national press coverage, and used social media to share thoughts and factual information, free from political bias.
My main aim is to discover the exact current position. There’s an awful lot of people with an awful lot of different views. Some stories become exaggerated and twisted over time, and it becomes difficult to identify the truth.
We must appreciate, as well, that things change over time: government, councils, legislation and even key stakeholders. What wasn’t an option 10 years ago may well be the way forward now. We must identify the ‘as-is’ position, the options available, costs and impact assessments on local ecology, economy and environment. Then we must work together with our councillors and politicians to ensure that the right decisions are made, and that this is not ignored.
Every view is valid and should be heard – so long as it is in a respectful constructive manner. Our Facebook group has a clear zero-tolerance policy. We want to remain a friendly community.
This isn’t just about asphalt. It’s about preserving a cultural icon, a tourist magnet, and a vital economic artery.
The group has brought councillors and our MP together, and highlighted the need for clear unbiased facts and discussion of potential consequences of inaction.
The road’s future remains uncertain, but the community spirit is unwavering. We stand united, Islanders and friends, determined to keep the wheels turning on more than just vehicles, but on memories, dreams, and the very essence of the Isle of Wight.
Our fight has just begun, and we won’t rest until the Military Road remains accessible for all.
Please join our Facebook group at iow.life/militaryroad.
We appreciate not everyone is on Facebook, so an email address and other ways to contact us will be set up in due course.
We’re also holding face to face meetings at the end of the month to plan the best course of action.