No plans are in place to secure the future of the Isle of Wight's iconic Military Road, the Island's council leader has said.

It comes as a scheme to save the road from collapsing was refused last night (Tuesday) and a section sits just metres away from the cliff edge.

Isle of Wight Council leader and cabinet member for highways, Cllr Phil Jordan, said there are currently no formulated and costed options for the future of the road but all possible ways to maintain the road are being considered.

Speaking yesterday, Cllr Jordan said there was no preferred, alternative option but it was part of ongoing work which will continue until a suitable, viable and sustainable option is found to maintain the road.

He said the council will be working with Island Roads to understand and plan for alternative arrangements in due course.

The plans refused by the council last night were designed by Island Roads and looked to install a 26-metre-long wall with piles drilled 21 metres into the ground.

Isle of Wight County Press: The section of Military Road.

It was rejected on the grounds it would damage the heavily protected environment, eco-systems and habitats.

Councillors, however, raised fears the Military Road would end up being closed while they continued to debate the future of the road.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Matt Price said the council has a duty to protect the road and was worried about whether another scheme to save it would come forward.

It was called regrettable that no alternative plan had come forward but other solutions have been in discussions for years.

Wider discussions have already taken place with nearby landowners, stakeholders and the Department for Transport, Cllr Jordan said.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Rerouting the Military Road is one preferred by locals, Brighstone Parish Council said, and the Isle of Wight Council is in discussions with the National Trust, which owns the land, to move it. The trust has described the talks as complex negotiations.

A statement released by Cllr Jordan today (Wednesday) said the council will continue to explore potential solutions to preserve and protect the important route, and to secure all the necessary consents in a highly protected and geologically sensitive landscape that can be implemented as quickly as possible.

The road remains open while it continues to work on alternative options.