The future of the Military Road will be put to the Cabinet this evening (which VB will be covering live).
As can be seen in the agenda notes for the meeting, three options will be put to the seven councillors for consideration:
- A: The protection of the existing carriageway through sea defence works, on-line sheet piling and or drainage works.
- B: Realignment of the route through National Trust land.
- C: Terminate the road at Brook, create turning points and improve car parking, while making moves to maintain the footpath and cycle route.
Prospective Lib Dem MP, Jill Wareham, has set up a campaign group on Facebook which predicts that Option C will be adopted and that the decision will be to close the road.
Clarification from council officer
We called the council’s Transport Policy Manager Chris Wells yesterday for clarification. We asked him about Option C and the reasons for this being one of the recommendations.
Mr Wells emphasized that this option has not yet been decided. ‘A decision has not been made and will not be made until the meeting on March 30th.”
Nevertheless he clarified the sums of money involved:
“Why spend eight million on a road when the council is strapped for cash in other areas? At the end of the day it’s a decision the council will have to make. They haven’t got any money from the government because the Military Road will last 43 years and the government will only give you money if you have a road with a life span of 50 years.
“The erosion is so enormous around there. We put in a massive scheme to drain the whole area, but it’s now collapsed on the beach. It didn’t work. You’re in a situation where you’re trying to fight nature. The councillors understand the love people have for the road, but at the end of the day it is a decision on how best to spend what they have.”
Build a bridge?
We asked whether temporary bridges a possibility?
“If you were to bridge it, you have obviously got to go from one side with something secure, to another side with something secure. But beyond that damaged area, there are other chines forming. This is the effect of the sea on the land. Without massive pieces of work and a very long bridge structure there’s little you can do.”
VB will bring more on this story as and when we have it.
Many thanks to VB reader, Vix Lowthion for use of the photo
