The Government has confirmed a £5.8million funding boost for the Isle of Wight as part of their ‘levelling up’ plan for the country, with the money set to be spent on improving East Cowes.
Bob Seely MP has thanked the previous, Tory-led Council administration for putting the bid together and to Council officers led by Chris Ashman.
Mr Seely pressed the Island’s bid to Ministers in Westminster and says he is delighted that the Government has listened to the Isle of Wight.
It’s understood the money will be used to rejuvenate the East Cowes esplanade area, including the former Barracks and the Columbine building. The improvement works will create new jobs, improve facilities and make East Cowes a major gateway and a marine hub.
The fund has been designed to regenerate town centres, high streets, upgrade local transport and invest in cultural and heritage assets up and down the country.
Speaking to Island Echo, Bob has said:
“Delighted to confirm that as part of Rishi and Boris’ levelling up plans for Britain, we’ve had the Island’s levelling up bid accepted: great news.
“The funding means improved facilities at the Columbine building: a greater refit capacity for marine clients and creating a centre of excellence for the R&D, construction & servicing of the green energy boat sector, vital for the Island’s future.
Article continues below this advertisement “Funding also means renovating the Victorian barracks next to the Columbine for multi-purpose accommodation linked to marine skills.
“Funding also means a new public square in East Cowes, hopefully with a water sports slipway.
“All the elements means jobs, prosperity and a better future for East Cowes and the Island.
“We were not in the first round of priority bids. We had to change that and we did. Thanks to Boris and Rishi and their teams for listening & moving us up the priority funding list. I made very clear to minsters that the Island needed this funding to invest in green shipbuilding and new jobs. We won the argument.
“This is all possible because the Council and I worked to get the buildings after a previous deal, a bad one for the Island, fell through. So, from a poor future for these buildings, we’ve got a very positive one, creating jobs and prosperity for the future.
“Thank you to the previous, Conservative-led Council for putting this bid together and for Council officers led by Chris Ashman. I am sure that the new, Alliance-led Council will work with me to deliver a successful project.
“It’s also great for East Cowes. I am VERY aware that the town has been hurt by the ongoing dramas over the floating bridge. When people ask me what we are going to do to help East Cowes, the levelling up bid is my answer.”
Here we go again, Government giving Island large sums of money, saying at present to upgrade East Cowes… wonder how much will actually be spent on East Cowes..?? Council was given millions a few years ago to upgrade Coppin’s Bridge… nothing done to Coppin’s Bridge, destroyed a good roundabout, and redone St Georges way, where did the other few million end up I do not wonder…
No mention of sorting the landslip so that all can resume accessing the full extent of the esplanade as far as Old Castle Point. This has been dragging on for years now and it is about time it got resolved.
Should not have wrecked East Cowes in the first place.
£5.8 million-would that not be better spent on FB7 ?
Will we get a Post Office in Newport?
Bob :- “It’s also great for East Cowes. I am VERY aware that the town has been hurt by the ongoing dramas over the floating bridge. When people ask me what we are going to do to help East Cowes, the levelling up bid is my answer.”
Dave :- I would like to have the opportunity to get over to East Cowes on the FB. Bob, great reply, (we did note the capital letters and the word “drama”), but can you tell us how your levelling up bid answer will actually sort the many Floating Bridge issues which has currently been out of action since August – with no definite date when the redesigned prows and one of the defective motors will get sorted ?
This is why he voted against the sewage discharges. He was ‘paid off’ with this. Classic government game. Keep their MP’s in line by paying them of with local grants.
May I offer my services as a consultant – at a very large fee of course!
if the council needs to employ consultants to do the job the council are paid to do they should not be in office. They have enough paid staff so they should have the correct people doing consultation work not paying a outsider to do it for them.