Christine Foster, Erith, Kent:

We recently returned from a two-week holiday on the Isle of Wight.

We had our first Isle of Wight holiday 49 years ago.

We had a delightful time then with wonderful sunny weather and so much to see and do, we just loved it.

So much so, we have had 14 Island holiday since that one.

So much has changed since that first holiday.

Many of the attractions have closed: Robin Hill, Flamingo Park, Arreton Manor, Barton Manor Vineyard, Yafford Water Mill, Brading Waxworks, the zoo at St Lawrence, the glass blowers at St Lawrence.

There was also a lovely large tea room and gift shop in Brighstone village which tourists loved as it had a huge car park.  

I wonder if part of the problem is the closure of tourist information offices. This used to be our first port of call in deciding what we wanted to visit. I know you can get information from the Internet but it's not the same.

The saddest thing is the deterioration of the infrastructure. The landslide at St Lawrence many years ago has not been rectified to any extent. Now there is a new landslide.

Will there ever be a direct route from Shanklin to Ventnor?

Due to the road being closed just beyond the Old Village in Shanklin there were very few cars, so the village is being missed. It has obviously taken its toll on shopkeepers.

Sandown looked terrible where there's a burnt-out hotel and other buildings left to deteriorate.

There were so many Road Ahead Closed signs I lost count. We saw very little work, if any, taking place on any of the closed roads.

It feels as if the IW Council has given up and just let things go.

The views of the sea are still stunning and the countryside looks wonderful (thanks to our lovely farmers).

The main attractions - Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle and the IW Steam Railway - still exist but there is little else to entertain you for two weeks. 

I must give praise to the brass band playing in Rylstone Gardens, they were wonderful.

I am not sure we will ever holiday on the Island again for two weeks but given the cost of taking a car on the ferry, it doesn't seem worthwhile for shorter breaks.

I have sent a copy of this letter to Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, of economic development at the IW Council. I look forward to a response.