Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Military Road is the section of the A3055 coast road which starts at Chale in the east and ends at Freshwater Bay in the west offering spectacular views of the Isle of Wight coastline.

The original Military Road dates back to the mid-18th century when it was constructed as part of a defence network. It remained as a private gated road for about 70 years, serving as a link between forts and barracks and fluctuating between private and military use until around 1930 when it was donated to the local council by the landowner. It has been gradually modified and updated to the route in use today, but not on the original track’s position. Due to the location, coastal erosion has necessitated moving the road inland on a number of occasions throughout the road’s history.

Coastal erosion now threatens the road to such an extent that it has been reduced to a single carriageway on a stretch where the road is now only a few metres from the cliff top and there are suggestions that it will have to be closed and/or diverted in the near future (Link Isle of Wight County Press 26 March 2010).

Link Wikipedia
Link Total 911, Great Roads.

See other images of The Isle of Wight Military Road