"The lack of vision or action to preserve this coastal route by local and national government is heartbreaking."

A councillor has slammed the Isle of Wight Council and the government for not doing enough to save the iconic Military Road after plans to shore up a section were refused last week.

Cllr Nick Stuart, the representative for Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet, was among those on the council's planning committee to reject Island Roads' proposals for a 26-metre-long wall with piles drilled 21 metres into the ground between Brook and Hanover Point.

He said the plans were deeply and fundamentally flawed as it would damage a nationally important landscape and environment, while only saving the road for a few more years.

Cllr Stuart said it was right to refuse the plans but he still despaired and found it shocking that there was no plan B.

Isle of Wight County Press: The section of the cliff that has eroded.The section of the cliff that has eroded. (Image: IWCP)

Since the refusal, the Isle of Wight Council has said it currently has no plans to secure the road, which in some places is just metres away from the cliff edge.

Work was ongoing, council leader Phil Jordan said, to find a suitable, viable and sustainable option to maintain the road, but there was no timeframe as to when that could be.

Cllr Stuart joined the authority last year and said he had joined a multi-party meeting with local and central government organisations, but it had been "lots of hot air and handwringing" with still no outcome.

He said: "The key point is money, and given central government has spent years reducing support to our council while loading on new responsibilities and time-consuming initiatives, it should cough up the cash now.

"The road was built to protect the Island and southern England from invasion, now central government seem happy for it to vanish into the waves. Not a great look for global Britain."

Cllr Stuart also highlighted the Military Road was an attraction for visitors from all around the world but also proved to be a vital route for Islanders.

He said the damage that would be done to the Island's image and attractiveness in the eyes of tourists should make saving the road a priority, let alone the direct economic and critical impact it would have on locals.