Rerouting one of the country's most scenic coastal routes — the Isle of Wight's Military Road  — could cost more than £20 million and could safeguard it for another 10 to 20 years, the MP and council leader have said.

MP Bob Seely has confirmed he is 'looking' to see if he can secure government money to protect the route.

A petition to save the iconic road already has more than 3,500 signatures and a group has been formed to have it 'rerouted and preserved'.

Its future has been brought to the fore once again after a void appeared in the road last month (January) and closed a footpath.

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As exclusively reported, Island Roads said there was 'no sign' of movement in the highway itself.

Cllr Jordan said there are three specific sites along the road - the cliff top along Compton Down (Afton Down), and two sites between Brook and Compton Farm.

The road along Afton Down is currently considered stable but the more immediate concern, he said, is the erosion taking place between Brook and Compton Farm, known as Sites 14 and 15.

He said: "This is being caused by natural coastal erosion, and water coming off the downs and forming chines by wearing down the soft clay and orange Wealden rock."

The Military Road is the responsibility of the Isle of Wight Council as the highway authority but surrounding land and the land underneath is of mixed private and National Trust ownership.

Many parts of this stretch of the road are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and it is within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

In October, plans submitted by Island Roads to stabilise the section between Brook and Hanover Point were refused by the council.

Read more: Military Road's future decided by Isle of Wight Council planning

It was said the work was likely to have had a significant adverse impact on the landscape and beauty and would have hit protected habitats.

Cllr Jordan said "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 rough estimates suggest a figure of more than £20 million.

He said: "The council has had positive discussions with the National Trust regarding relevant land in its ownership.

"We have approached the relevant government departments for their views on the rerouting option and the availability of funding for such works."

MP Bob Seely said rerouting "may buy a minimum of a decade more use and perhaps up to 20 years."

He said he is looking for government cash but the answer is not obvious - but that doesn’t mean there can’t be. 

A meeting for residents to discuss the road's future is being held at 4pm, at Seely Hall, in Brook, on Sunday, February 11.