Isle of Wight's unique coastal challenges raised at Westminster

The Isle of Wight’s unique coastal challenges were represented at a national level this week as a council director spoke professionally but also from the heart at the House of Commons.

Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning at the Isle of Wight Council, spoke at the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Tuesday, November 18.

The Westminster committee brought experts from councils together to discuss the risks of landslide and erosion, with Ms Dix representing the Isle of Wight by explaining the complex and unique coastal challenges we face.

She told MPs that the 12 kilometre stretch of land at the Undercliff is the largest urbanised landslide complex in north-western Europe, as ideas were shared on incident response and recovery.

She used powerful case studies, recalling when she sat in an impacted resident’s house on an Easter Sunday as they cried, to make sure the challenges were heard at a national level.

Some 65 per cent of Island residents live within two kilometres of the coast, and Ms Dix highlighted ways in which the community could be better supported.

Speaking after the committee, Ms Dix said: “We are living with risks and change on a daily basis within our communities.

“This was a rare opportunity to represent the Isle of Wight on a national level and to explain the unique coastal challenges that we face.

“We have over 6,500 residents living within the active landslide area in the Undercliff who are consistently at risk, and I was proud to make sure the Government knows that these people need our support.”

The committee also discussed ideas on how to support and address the mental health and wellbeing of those in affected communities, with ideas being put forward by experts from other local authorities.