Ambitious transport plans for the Isle of Wight
They include a summer ferry between Ryde and Southampton
A Ryde to Southampton summer ferry, trains from Newport and Ventnor, and improved mainland connections — they’re among the schemes which could be introduced to the Isle of Wight by 2050.
Transport body, Transport for the South East (TfSE), has unveiled plans as part of a £45 billion ‘blueprint for investment’.
It is designed to improve connectivity on the Island, and between the mainland and the Island to support sustainable onward connectivity and increased tourism.
The schemes are subject to finding funding sources, and feasibility studies being carried out.
The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, Cllr Phil Jordan, said the plan would be interesting for the Island, as it could subsidise ferry fares, among other things.
He said the Island was a small part of a huge powerhouse but he felt the schemes were more likely to come to fruition being a part of TfSE, than they would if they were pitched to government seperately.
The final draft of the strategic investment plan includes 24 transport interventions across the region, but one specifically for the Island.
It is thought the benefits of the ‘intervention’ could see 70,000 fewer car trips on the Island a day, and an additional £165 million gross value added a year.
The schemes include:
- Improving bus services from Newport to Yarmouth, Ryde and Cowes
- Railway service enhancements
- Railway extension to Ventnor and Newport
- Extending ferry service operating hours and improving quality and frequency of sailings
- A new summer ferry route — Ryde to Southampton — with three or four vessels
It has been suggested the Island investment will partially come from private providers and no public funding would be provided to support the new ferry services.
Cllr Jordan said the plan, which has been in the making since 2017, will give the council a foundation to get funding from the government to aid the key transport projects, otherwise it would be left to the current operators.
The Isle of Wight Council is among one of 16 authorities asked to approve the final draft of the investment plan before it is sent to government.
The delegated decision will be made on March 9.