From Paul Simmonds, St Lawrence:

I am writing in response to the latest article in the County Press entitled Lightweight road for Undercliff?(CP, 15-06-18).

An Island referendum is needed now.

It is clearly evident IW Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart is on a personal crusade of self-interest and business focus in re-opening the Undercliff Drive. What about people’s needs?

In response to road closure and the impact study carried out by Bournemouth University regarding alleged financial losses to business and the public, Cllr Stewart needs a reality check and to be reminded that businesses up and down the country are suffering loss due to a change in shopping cultures i.e. via the internet.

With reference to the drop in visitors to Ventnor Botanic Garden, I would suggest the reasons for that are down to extortionate admission fees, when once there was no charge, and sadly the gardens are not as welcoming as they once were.

To say the Undercliff is currently a beauty spot and important for travel is nonsense. Niton resident Sue Green states: “It’s such a beautiful route, so it improves tourist enjoyment.”

Have Sue and Cllr Stewart visited the route lately? It’s dark and dismal with overgrown vegetation and trees with no visible views of the sea.

The priority of central and local government is the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. To reinstate the road as Cllr Stewart states and “can take any vehicle of any weight”, really, this is complete madness.

This can only exacerbate the problem, as this is a vulnerable area prone to landslip with no safety guarantees whatever work may be carried out in the future.

To allow access to any vehicles on a narrow winding carriageway is high risk combined with environmental issues e.g. noise and air pollution.

The key issue regarding vehicle travel through Niton is not the road closure but road infrastructure, which cannot accommodate current demand.

In conclusion, I share the view of many residents that time and money would be better spent on more important issues, such as housing, education, care and investment in jobs.

Island people should decide the future of the Undercliff Drive not politicians.

What is needed now is a referendum that truly reflects the wishes of the majority.