The Isle of Wight Council has said there is still time to shape some of the key elements of a multi-million-pound project to improve Ryde Transport Interchange – but Islanders have been told it is ‘too late’ to change the fundamental design of the scheme.
Residents have until 3rd August to make their views on seating, planting and paving known in a consultation, the results of which will be considered by the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet meeting on 9th September, or earlier if necessary.
The project aims to improve facilities and connectivity for cyclists, pedestrians, bus and rail users as well as Wightlink FastCat passengers with the interchange area reorganised to provide a more pedestrian-friendly area with additional areas of public use.
The scheme is supported by a Government grant from the Transforming Cities Fund following a successful bid by the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council (together as South East Hampshire Rapid Transport) for £55.6 million — £10 million of which is earmarked for the Ryde Transport Interchange improvements.
Other key elements of the wider project are being delivered by Wightlink — by transforming the disused tramway into a pedestrian and cycling boardwalk up the pier — and South Western Railway, which will refurbish the terminal building to create new fully accessible toilets and expanded concessions.
The council’s element on which views are being sought involves remodelling the bus station to provide a safer environment for bus users and pedestrians as well as more public amenity space. A new road layout will also allow buses to exit the bus terminal and head straight up George Street – but it comes at the cost of traffic lights being installed.
The current consultation is seeking feedback from the community on the key elements which define the look and feel of the area including landscaping and planting, bus carriageway surfacing, kerbing, pedestrian paving and seating. The consultation also invites wider comments on the scheme which will all be taken into account when discussed by Cabinet, although it is clear that decisions have already been made with Islanders told that it’s ‘too late’ to change the layout.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet lead for transport and infrastructure said:
“There have been well over 250 submissions to the consultation so far and much wider discussions about this project — all of which is to be welcomed.
“We are a council that wants to hear from our residents and businesses and we are very keen to take our forthcoming decisions based on as much feedback as we can get. I would urge anyone interested in this project to make their views known through the consultation.”
The consultation is available at www.iow.gov.uk/rydeinterchange.
It is not too late to change the scheme, you arrogant dictators – you can advise the government that you will be reviewing the project and if you decided to go ahead with it in a different form, you will resubmit an application for funding later.
stop treating us like idiots – we know how public funding application processes work.
as there has been suggestions of incorrect processes in the westacre saga – then this needs looking at by an independent body as well.
This is a joke. We can all see how this I going to go. Corrupt M F’s. Civil SERVANTS ?! My a r s e.
So after all the fuss about this scheme in the last few months, nothing has actually changed.
We’re still just being asked about flowerpots and benches!
Keep listening council……..yeah right.
Back handers already been paid.
What’s wrong with the current system? Don’t fix what doesn’t need mending.
I think this is great for Ryde Esplanade. The whole area looks dirty and very uninviting. How can people really object to progress…
WHAT IS THE POINT OF ASKING US WHAT WE THINK AND WHAT WE WANT? IT IS ALL TOTALLY IGNORED ANYWAY! LIKE WITH WESTRIDGE. DISGRACEFUL.
Lets be pragmatic. Don’t spend too much on this. Only relatively poor people and company employees use the catamarans.
Anyone with real money to spend arrives via the car ferries or by yacht.
This is going ahead whatever the people of Ryde think. It’s a dictatorial decision made by little people with large egos. 90% plus who are in favour of this joke never even use the Esplanade in Ryde. Proof if proof were needed that democracy at a local level is subservient to MONEY.