Isle of Wight councillors have hit back at those suggesting it refuse the money from the government for works to Ryde Interchange to improve connectivity with the mainland.
The Island is set to receive £10 million from the Department of Transport as part of its Transforming Cities Fund, in partnership with Portsmouth City and Hampshire County councils as well as transport providers and partners Wightlink, South Western Railway, and Southen Vectis.
The work is almost entirely funded by the government grant with complementary contributions from the private partners relating to projects that are supporting the Interchange scheme.
Although the figures are subject to change, the transformation of Ryde Tramway Pier into a pedestrian and cycleway is estimated to cost £3.2 million; the bus interchange, cycle route, and highways work £5.1 million; and train station improvements £1.7 million.
With the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet set to approve the scheme tonight (Thursday), the Corporate Scrutiny Committee asked what would happen if the council were to call off the scheme and give back the money, as some opponents have suggested.
Chair of the committee, Cllr Steve Hastings, said he could not imagine anybody would turn it down while Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said it would be a damaging move for the Island.
He said it was not just about the Island but about the wider £56m projects across The Solent and suggested it would make it very difficult for the other councils to continue with their projects.
Cllr Jordan said:
“If we were to refuse the grant funding after we applied for it, this would be the third time we gave the grant back for work on Ryde seafront … If we were to do that the reputational damage on this council would be enormous.”
Cllr Jordan also said it may other impact funding applications currently with the Department for Transport.
The council’s chief executive, John Metcalfe, says governments have made it clear they want to do business with councils who deliver.
He said:
“If at any time we start to get cold feet and are a council who cannot deliver the aspirations we said we were going to do then it will damage any further conversations we want to have or hope to have with them.”
Cllr John Medland said it was unfortunate the current consultation has not been done well, which was clear from public feedback, but the opportunity to bring Ryde up to date needed to be embraced.
Cllr Geoff Brodie said:
“If we reject this money this time we will look absolutely ridiculous.
“We have to take this money even though the consultation has entirely failed, failed the people of Ryde and this Island but we have got we have got here, we need to move forward. We may not like what we end up with but that is what we have got.”
Concerns about a lack of consultation with stakeholders before the final designs were tabled have been raised by multiple parties.
Cllr Michael Lilley, also a member of Ryde Town Council, said not enough time to consult on the plans was like a ‘gun to their head’ and proposed the scrutiny committee recommend more effective engagement between those behind the scheme and all stakeholders.
If we don’t have/ use it, some other town will and it so never be offered again.
Get your head together and sort this out.
For once stop thinking your all greater than us and do something for this tired town
utter drivel banner – these are not once in a lifetime offers – they come around every week, everywhere – the government has its infrastructure plans and if you do not take up an offer, then someone else or something else is allocated those funds. If you choose to submit an application for funding at a later date, it is considered – please do not assume governments work in the same way the private sector funding does- because it doesn’t
So money has been turned down twice before!
Seems they just can’t get anything right.
Consultation has failed yes Geoff.
But no apology. That is half the problem.
Money will be taken though, for all this talk.
Perhaps our new leader might make a statement some time?!
Seems the “NEW” council leader is quite a mouse.
No change at all in the councils way of running.
Put your head in a bucket of sand and hope it all goes away.
they can refuse easily . they are clearly being dictated to and are too weak to say no. no need for it and no it wont affect anything else they must think we are gullible
Go to youtube and watch videos isle of wight 1940s 50s 60s70s80s nothing has changed and the 1960 videos the beaches were packed more than we see now
So why change something that has worked from at least the 40s
Pointless waste of money and headaches for people trying to get to work and home with all the nonessential road works.
How can you say nothing has changed? In the 1940s 50s 60s70s80s there were no such things as package holidays, cheap flights etc. “Staycations” in the 21st century is a new word for the modern holiday maker. Let’s bring Ryde into the 21st century, especially our beautiful pier. Hopefully councillors can work with those businesses affected, surely this is achievable?
Package holidays started in the 70s.
So all you councillors say its time for the public to have a say, we have a say and you all moan about it.
Is this going to happen on all of the things you lot wont to do????
10 million to improve connectivity .We need a cheap reliable island run ferry for islanders first .Not Bobs family or shareholders
i am guessing that the individual councillors are not thinking of their own future when they are walking in and around the towns or just thinking of what life will be like for them after they leave the council
there are those who will take these matters up with them, in the street whilst they are shopping in person – perhaps they ought to remember, that they are in positions of service and not dictators – the majority sentiment does not want this disgusting, environmental wrecking development – leave it as it is – that is what the public are telling you – do as you are told councillors.
They cant give it back, they’ve topped their pension funds up with it already!
I can remember a time when the seafront was better than it is today and now they want to change it into something worse than it is now, so each new change just turns it into something worse again . Anyone else remember when there was a round skating rink type structure with a roof down in front of where the Prince Consort is and there were flower beds running along inside a low and quite decorative little wall? People come here on holiday to see something a little quaint and untainted, not just a continuation of the worse aspects of the mainland cities.
This council is so corrupt .
I can’t wait to expose what I’ve been researching for the last few months.
Ombudsman here I come