Controversial changes for the Ryde Interchange transport scheme are a step closer after an application was submitted to start demolition works.
The fate of the 1930s public toilet and cafe block on Western Gardens had been partially signed since the approval of the Ryde Interchange scheme 2 months ago.
As part of the transport scheme, which feeds into a wider investment to increase cross-Solent transport connectivity, the toilet and cafe block is set to be demolished and replaced with a new pier access road, involving parking and waiting bays for cars.
A planning application has been submitted by the Isle of Wight Council to carry out the demolition, starting the necessary work for the £10 million gateway scheme.
The decision to remove the facilities has been met with mixed reactions. Campaigners frequently questioned why the council were going to demolish the most used toilets on the Island, to make way for road changes, but were unsuccessful in getting the highways scheme thrown out.
Instead, the authority said new public toilets would be installed in the Ryde Esplanade train station, along with a cafe provision, but plans are yet to be unveiled by South Western Railway for that part of the project.
As a compromise, the council has said temporary toilets will be installed in the area until the new ones are built and opened.
In planning documents submitted in favour of the demolition, the council say the building is of little, if any, historic value and its removal will improve some views of the conservation area when people come off the pier.
During consultation on the scheme in the summer, Historic England said the building did not positively contribute to the conservation area. The council said an application to Historic England to have the building listed was rejected, confirming their view.
To view the council’s plans, 21/02431/FUL, you can visit the planning register. Comments can be submitted until 12th January 2022.
So will the temp toilets be a portaloo?
What temporary toilets… ???
“its removal will improve some views of the conservation area when people come off the pier.”
and the people sitting in the conservation area (which will be shrinking) will be able to see cars coming and going and cars parking up all day long, and a nice view of the new bus station.
at the moment the toilets and cafe provide a nice buffer against all that
Don’t forget scooter weekend, that whole area will be covered with scooters, especially the green which has a sign stating NO MOTOR VEHICLES
Disgraceful, nobody I know wants this.
Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke !
Consultation…?
My arse !
The quicker it gets knocked down the better it’s an eyesore
How and why is it an eyesore ?
What about painting a rainbow and unicorn on it ?
I myself and others find it unique and practical and a positive peace of Ryde history along with the Victorian train station.
But alas, all you want is a giant car park. Stop destroying the little quirky bits of the island that makes the island slightly different to places such as Croydon ect.
Why not go the fall hog and build a bridge to Gosport ! FFS.
Put quite simply, I will avoid Ryde. Where next Council, what else are you going to muck up?
CONCUR WITH ALL ABOVE, DISGRACEFUL, USELESS RYDE COUNCIL
The scheme that isnt needed and nobody wants, bulldozed through regardless. Shameful.
Well that is forward planning, so where are the tourists supposed to go to toilet ?? Walk all the way up near boating lake ? How selfishly stupid… no thought for disabled people yet again… or any people for that matter…so now how long before new toilets are set up… two years.. ?? that’s a long time to have to hold it….. Idiots…
TOURISTS< BE ADVISED NO PUBLIC TOILETS AT THE ESPLANADE>>>
you forgot to mention that they have the option to drudge up Union Street, continue uphill on the high street past all the lovely shops (asking locals where the nearest toilet is) then keep walking and walking to the well advertised heritage toilets (if they find them) on St John’s Road. The elderly with weak bladders might need to stop several times for a rest before reaching their destination if they can keep it in.
I notice the new Co-op toilets now have meaty padlocks on them so they are not an option for non-customers.
And the Ryde Town Councillors welcome the money saving….disgraceful
Temporary toilets till new ones in train station built.
I can see the temporary ones being there for many a year to come.
So, so sad. The block might not be everyone’s cup of tea but its nearly 100 yrs old and brings back so many happy memories for many. If it wasn’t for the little cafe, ice cream parlour, crackle toilet paper etc I wouldn’t have grown up spending happy days with my mum on the beach. It’s an iconic building just like the old bandstand was. Destroyed in the name of progress.