The return of buses to an Isle of Wight village after an 11-year absence, new restrictions outside a seafront restaurant and the retention of extra evening bus journeys are among the notable decisions to emerge from County Hall during August.
The decisions affect communities across the Isle of Wight, covering public transport improvements as well as measures aimed at improving road safety and traffic flow.
A new Number 33 bus service is set to reconnect Havenstreet with Ryde and Newport, while also providing the village with links to the wider Isle of Wight public transport network.
The decision has been signed off by Simon Moon, Strategic Director for Community Services.
According to County Hall, the service will help tackle ‘social isolation’ within the rural community – an issue which has long been a concern for Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council (HAPC).
Havenstreet has been without a bus service since 2015.
Plans for the new Number 33 have been developed in partnership with Southern Vectis and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, according to a council report.
Elsewhere, new restrictions are on the way for Ventnor Esplanade after a loading ban outside The Mill Bay was given the go-ahead.
Traffic Manager Scott Headey approved the measure, which is intended to improve traffic flow and safety outside the seafront restaurant.
The Council had previously been told that vehicles displaying Blue Badges were regularly parking on the double yellow lines at the passing point in front of the premises.
A decision report said the situation had been causing ‘delays’ to traffic, reducing visibility and ‘posing danger’ to pedestrians.
Public transport has also featured prominently in August’s decisions, with extra evening journeys on Southern Vectis’ Number 6 and Number 12 services set to continue.
The additional journeys form part of plans worth hundreds of thousands of pounds which have received approval.
County Hall says retaining the evening services will help members of the public access the evening economy while encouraging increased sustainable use of the bus network.
Continued financial support for a series of bus service improvements, using funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), has also been signed off by Mr Moon.
