Latest news with #IsleOfWightCouncil
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
‘Serious risk to life': scenic Isle of Wight road could fall into sea, warns council
It is considered one of the most scenic routes in the UK, an 11-mile stretch of road that skirts the coastal cliffs and enjoys sweeping views of the Channel. The problem is that Military Road on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight is getting just a little too close to those plunging cliffs for comfort. Fears are being raised that erosion has left the road just a few metres from the cliffs – in some parts less than 5 metres – and lives could be in danger. Becca Cameron, a councillor who called a public meeting on the situation, said urgent safety measures were needed to prevent a tragedy. 'I feel there is a serious risk to life,' she said. 'Drone footage shows how serious the risk is and how close the cliff is to the road. When a bus passes over the cliff, you can feel the vibrations. We have no warning system if the road collapses.' One person who travels on the local bus that follows the route described parts of it as a 'rollercoaster'. Others called for the road to be diverted inland or for weight restrictions to be imposed. Some local people want crash barriers and lower speed limits. Military Road is the responsibility of the Isle of Wight council as the highways authority. It said the route was experiencing the 'real effects of geological erosion.' In the late 1990s it carried out work on a section running along Afton Down, which included bolstering the route's chalky foundations. But the council is worried over a stretch of about two miles between the village of Brook and a caravan and camping site at Compton Farm. In a report published last year, the council said the issues were being caused by 'natural coastal erosion, and water coming off the downs and forming chines [a steep sided gorge] by wearing down the soft clay and orange Wealden rock.' It added: 'A potential alternative option is to reroute this stretch of the road inland which would guarantee the route for a further 20 years or more.' But it warned this would cost more than £20m. The Military Road was constructed in about 1860 to supply coastal garrisons and consisted at that time of only a narrow unmade track. Almost a century ago, it was adopted by the Isle of Wight county council (a former incarnation of the local authority). The road was widened and certain sections were realigned because even then, they were threatened by cliff erosion. In more recent years the climate emergency and extreme weather events have exacerbated the problem. The Isle of Wight council is keen to keep the route open because it connects communities and is also a major tourist attraction. Visit England has advised people to visit before it is too late. It said: 'Running parallel with the west coast of the isle, the A3055 (aka Military Road) is a road trip that should be taken sooner rather than later, as erosion along the coast could see parts of the road disappear. 'The 11-mile route may be short, but it offers a wealth of sweeping ocean views and memorable country landscapes.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Roadworks finish early after weeks of delays
Roadworks on a main route between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight have been finished and the road has opened three days early. The works at Horsebridge Hill have been in place since 12 May on the edge of Newport - with a temporary week-long halt for the Isle of Wight Festival - so a new junction could be built for a housing development at Acorn Farm. A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) on the northbound stretch was in place with temporary lights southbound. A full closure had been scheduled this weekend but the works, due to finish on Monday, were completed ahead of schedule. Isle of Wight Council said: "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused." Local businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on trade. The council warned drivers to be aware of the new road layout in place and said the road would have a 30mph speed limit until further notice. More stories from Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Watch the latest episode of South Today Listen to the latest news from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Motorists face disruption after main road closure Roadworks with 11km detour return after festival Isle of Wight Council
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Horsebridge Hill roadworks finish early after weeks of delays
Roadworks on a main route between Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight have been finished and the road has opened three days works at Horsebridge Hill have been in place since 12 May on the edge of Newport - with a temporary week-long halt for the Isle of Wight Festival - so a new junction could be built for a housing development at Acorn Farm.A diversion of more than nine miles (14km) on the northbound stretch was in place with temporary lights southbound. A full closure had been scheduled this weekend but the works, due to finish on Monday, were completed ahead of schedule. Isle of Wight Council said: "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused."Local businesses have previously complained about the impact the closure has had on council warned drivers to be aware of the new road layout in place and said the road would have a 30mph speed limit until further notice. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Horsebridge Hill reopened ahead of schedule after overnight roadworks completed
UPDATED GREAT news for those who use the main Newport to Cowes route. It has reopened this morning (Saturday). Work scheduled to be carried out over the weekend on Horsebridge Hill has been completed ahead of schedule by contractors, Crown Park. The road was shut in both directions from 8pm last night (Friday), and was due to remain closed until Monday (July 7). (Image: Isle of Wight Council) But roadworks were completed overnight, between Newport and Cowes. READ MORE: Travel and traffic updates for the Island this Saturday Horsebridge Hill to close completely this weekend Isle of Wight Council put out a statement on social media this morning (Saturday) to confirm. "Horsebridge Hill is now open to two-way traffic," the local authority has said. "Please be aware there is a new road layout in place as you pass through the work site. "There is a 30mph speed limit in place until further notice. "Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time. We understand the frustration and disruption it has caused." The road had been closed in one direction since May 12, apart from a brief reopening last weekend and for the Isle of Wight Festival. READ MORE: Residents vent frustration at public meeting over Horsebridge Hill diversion Retired highways professional gives his view on Horsebridge Hill works "Amount of road closures on the Island at the moment is a scandal" The one-way system and full closure had been necessary, to allow for junction improvement works at the Island's largest affordable housing development in a decade, located at Acorn Farm, off Horsebridge Hill. The new Three Oaks development will bring 203 new affordable homes to the Island. "The end result will bring positive benefits to the Island and its residents," the council added.
Telegraph
01-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
I've lived happily on the Isle of Wight most of my life – the second home tax will change everything
Over the years, I have rarely been able to answer the question 'where are you from?' without the response falling into three common categories. I'm asked if you need a passport to get there (no); they tell me how nice it must be to not pay tax (wrong); or someone says fondly that they 'simply love the island' (they've only been to the boujee restaurant The Hut, or a music festival). The follow-up question is usually about what it is like to live in a holiday hotspot such as the Isle of Wight. The answer is, of course, brilliant. My home town is bustling with funky boutique shops and exciting restaurants, crime rates are low and the sheer number of brilliant attractions means that as a family with a young child, we are rarely short of things to do. This is before you even begin to talk about the great outdoors. There is an underlying trepidation, however, that the way the Isle of Wight ticks along is going to change. That the current balance of tourists and residents, and the money that they spend here, is going to shift. That soon, the independent shops, family restaurants and tourist attractions that we love may struggle. Since April, local councils have had the power to charge a council tax premium on second homes. In England, the maximum is 100pc, and the Isle of Wight council has opted for the maximum. It means that second home owners will pay between £3,155 and £9,500 a year in council tax for their properties.
