The Isle of Wight can no longer rely on ferry companies to provide lifeline services and the Government should look at introducing a ‘regulatory and governance model’, or funding options for a fixed link, senior local officials have said.
A major, independent review of UK transport connectivity – commissioned by the Prime Minister – should examine how travel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland could be improved, including the potential for a fixed link, according to the Island’s MP and Council Leader.
In a joint submission to the Union Connectivity Review – which is being led by government adviser Sir Peter Hendy CBE – Bob Seely MP and Council Leader Dave Stewart have highlighted the ‘uniquely disadvantageous’ position the Isle of Wight faces when compared to islands in other parts of the United Kingdom.
In their detailed response, they outline the shortcomings of the current set-up of cross-Solent connectivity and cite the impact of coronavirus as bringing these issues to a head. Describing the pandemic intervention (with specific legislation and funding for existing ferry operations) as a ‘watershed moment’, Mr Seely and Cllr Stewart have made clear that we as an Island should not return to the ‘old normal’.
The submission makes clear that Islanders need reliable and affordable cross-Solent connections to access healthcare, work and education – particularly as the community recovers from the effects of the pandemic. The submission suggests that there are 2 main ways to tackle the current situation:
1) To make funding available for a new regulatory and governance model for existing cross-Solent connectivity (with subsidies and public service obligations, where needed, to ensure minimum levels of service) and appropriate, additional funding available to ensure that the provision of public services on the Isle of Wight is equal to that enjoyed on the mainland.
2) To continue with the arrangements set out above, unless the case is made (and funding made available) for constructing a fixed link between mainland England and the Isle of Wight – and then adjusting the ongoing funding model accordingly once such a fixed link was in place.
Bob Seely MP has said:
“We must work towards a more sustainable and public-orientated approach in the future, which has proper regard for the essential / lifeline nature of these crossings. With the railways now transitioning – post-pandemic – to a new, more accountable operational model, we should look to do the same with our ferry services.
“Our connectivity to the mainland is currently entirely at the discretion of unregulated, privately-owned operators who are ultimately not formally answerable for their operational decisions to anyone but their shareholders. Islanders cannot rely on the ferries being there to provide lifeline services. This needs to change. We need intervention.
“Whilst our submission sets out the current shortcomings, and suggests some potential ways forward, we are asking Sir Peter – as part of his wider review – to look in detail at how a new regulatory and governance model could be put in place, with subsidies and public service obligations, as necessary.”
Cllr Stewart adds:
“The coronavirus pandemic has shown us just how important it is to ensure our lifeline ferry services remain open for the transportation of food, medicine and movement of key workers.
“I am grateful to the ferry companies for working with the Council to keep routes operating during the height of the pandemic, but I am concerned that they have no real obligation to do so. There have been times over the past nine months where services have been vastly reduced or stopped, which has caused much distress to Islanders.
“Through this submission, we have also reinforced the case for a funding settlement which recognises the additional costs of providing public services on an island separated by sea. Over many years, governments of all colours (Labour, Coalition and Conservative) have shied away from tackling the issues we have highlighted. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, there is now the opportunity to look afresh at what could be done.”
Mr Seely and Cllr Stewart conclude their submission by saying that:
“We consider that, on balance, the expenditure required to establish a fixed link between mainland England and the Isle of Wight would likely be far in excess of the costs involved with making a meaningful intervention in existing cross-Solent connectivity and providing additional funding available for public services, even over many years. On this basis, our preference would be to see (1) above as the best way forward to significantly improve cross-Solent connectivity and help level up the Isle of Wight’s economy and prosperity with neighbouring parts of the mainland, whilst maintaining its distinctiveness and unique character.”
UPDATE @ 10:20 – Carl Feeney of the Solent Freedom Tunnel Fixed Link campaign group, has said:
“With respect, the IOW Council has no infrastructure specialists among them, and similarly we have an ex-journalist MP determined to revamp unsustainable and destructive 19th century railway extensions, during a period of radical step-change clean electric vehicle revolution. Can these be the people to give advice on the viability of a fixed link Solent tunnel? It does appear to be on the agenda now though, so that’s a welcome improvement.
“Let me explain some simple facts: The Solent Freedom Tunnel and secondary tunnel to the M27 will cost circa £3billion. The expected toll income at far cheaper rates than the ferry fares now, will achieve circa £200million per annum (the ferries generate £120million now). Subtract the general overheads of circa £20million, we have £180million profit in round terms. At today’s commercial interest rates, that pays for £18billion of funding and we just need 3.
“Interest rates will stay low as the UK government needs to pay off large debt. Inflation will rise to lower the debt value. As inflation rises, so do the tolls at CPI. It means the income from the tolls will rise, but the capital outlay is set in stone. Over time, the tunnel becomes even more profitable. It is a highly sustainable and successful project that accommodates and aligns with the advent of autonomous electric vehicles – expected to be commonplace within 10 years which is around the same time the tunnel will open (if we start now).
“Depending on the management arrangements, a great deal of this income can be directed to the portal regions – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Added to this, the socio-economic boost created from fast and reliable 24 hour connectivity, will reverse our present day spiralling island deprivation. The island will still be surrounded by water but connectivity will be invisible, unheard, clean, reliable, affordable, immediately available and most importantly, it will be regulated. Our elected bodies will be in control, not a bunch of profit hungry shareholders.
“The Solent Freedom Tunnel viability study by ‘Arup’ is poised ready. The IOW Transport Infrastructure Taskforce concluded the study should be done back in late 2016, but ignored since. Private funds of £26,000 have been raised. The Council have only to ask the DfT for the remaining £94,000 and it begins. If the council becomes the client, that lowers to £74,000. (No vat). Progress can start now. The IOW Council just has to make the call”.
A Fixed link would be ridiculous
Coronavirus avenue.
Scrap the ferry’s , bring on the fixed link. And lets have a more controllable crossing.
A fixed link can be policed at both ends, and if need be can be closed easily.
stop all this sucking up to the rip off ferry’s, we don’t need them.
I love brain dead comments, please think this is important. Making silly comments just for effect without giving thought to what you are saying is stupid. If there was a stopping off point were all drivers intermingle then you comment has value, if it is people staying in there bubble traveling home then it does not.
Brain dead Hahaaaa????
I doubt if anything more than cold porridge has ever occupied his cranium!
Stuffed with other people on the car ferry yesterday, all using the handrails and toilets and coughing and spluttering!
I’d much prefer to sit in the relative safety and comfort of my own car.
This island is in deep decline because of the Neanderthal mindset of people like Hahaaaaaa!
Correct -a fixed link is not workable here, has been talked about, investigated and the same old drum banged year in year out – it is not going to happen, ever.
i knew feeney would pitch up with his boring ranting.
if a link was viable, it would already be in place – why isn’t it-…because no county on the mainland wants to be used as an large scale car park/off/on ramp for an isle of wight tunnel or bridge, which brings no economic benefit to them, increases the pollution in their areas, ruins their environment and devalues anything around it.
the islanders, would then be stuck with an endless stream of travellers parking caravans up on fields and parks, as well as hundreds of ferry staff made redundant, who are islanders also.
the island is an area of oustanding natural beauty and there will be no large scale bridge or tunnel works taking place- that much I am sure of, at least this side of the year 2030 and then there will be plenty of resistance afterwards.
IT will have to happen eventually.. young people of tofday need a future too..
Excuse me, with fixed link ( tunnel ) it could easily be regulated and EVERYONE coming or going could be tested… not like useless ferries… plus no strikes, no stopping fort bad weather.. can cross anytime day or night.. which would mean late night shopping and being able to get back. And if train included, if lived in say Shanklin, could get a train from near anywhere , even Europe all the way back to Shanklin.. ( would mean lots of train changes though..) but since you do not like the idea you can keep using the very expensive ferries, when and if they are running.. Stop living in the past… think of the children of today, not just what you want.. there is no future for children here at present, a tunnel across would fix that for their future.. NOT yours.
First sensible thing our MP has every said NOW DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
The only fixed link we need is East and West Cowes, I don’t want the Island to become an extention of Portsmouth.
For those that support a fixed link to the mainland, why would you want this lovely Island to resemble a concrete jungle?…
Including much of what resides in such.
Truth , I totally agree with you . If you want a fixed link go and live on the mainland !!
you are living in the past, open your eyes.. look forward to a future, not to what has been and will keep being, which is ruination of this Island. No jobs, plenty of jobs across the water, but also lovely to live here. TOO many people moving here to retire and want it kept just as it is… that can never happen, thousands of new homes being built for your likes.. not for Islanders.. maybe if some of you actually think about the good a fixed link would bring… obvious you cannot do that.. you still live in the 1900’s
No matter whether fixed link or not, the Island is already becoming a concrete jungle.. think ahead, think of the young people of today, they do not want to stay here because there is nothing for them.. they would enjoy living here but not at the expense of the ferries. Start looking ahead instead of burying your head in the mud, look for a future…; Or may7be you are one of the thousand moved here retiree’s that just wants the world to stop just for you !!
now whats that word im looking for
i remember now hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
so all the thumbs down want a fixed link how very sad
Bring on a fixed link with a toll I’m all up for that
And in the summer you won’t be able to drive any where because it will be clogged with day visitors it’s bad enough now
Well if you life in an attractive place that’s only a few miles from one of the most populated regions in the world (and you rely on tourists for income), then guess what ? People come and visit !
It already gets clogged as it is, but just think, Islanders would be able to drive across to mainland and go to other tourist places, Cornwall, But obvious you just want to sit in your place and do nothing.. no care about other people..
If it is clogged with so called day visitors, just think how much they spent on this Island whilst they were here… more money for the economy, little shops reopening..
Why do you all think only of the bad all the time.. try thinking positive for a change.. without visitors the island dies… with abundance of visitors even day visitors the money spent will re seed this Island..
Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ferries should be regulated as are trains and other public transport.
Every other offshore island in the UK has subsidised ferry services.
This stance is long overdue by our MP (and I’m no fan of Seely).
So far this council has purchased a Floating Bridge that floats and that’s about it. St Mary’s roundabout has been replaced with an abomination of slip roads and traffic lights, Would I trust them on any building project in the future NO. Why is no one being held to account for these abominations ??? as for a fixed link REALLY ??
Oh God ! No one is suggesting that the IOW council will actually have any role in any of this, are they ? (Goes and breathes into a paper bag…..)
They should scrap the floating bridge all together and spend more money on a toll bridge across medina further down towards Stag Lane. They’d get more money back on £1 toll each side than they would on the chain ferry. As for the connecting bridge.. bring it on!!! Those who are against it clearly never leave the island enough to understand the frustration on waiting hours for crossings, relying on the weather or the extremely high prices. Such high prices result in losing out on tourism because people find it’s cheaper to fly to Europe than come here. I’d happily pay £10/£20 toll each way for a mainland bridge if it meant getting across in a quick 15-minute drive and at any time, regardless of the weather, than have to allow an additional 2 hours to any journey.
Tourism love the experience of the boat trip to the island, and if your travelling is so regular why do you continue living on the island?, surely you would benefit living on the mainland..
Britain is attached to Europe via a fixed link, but it’s still an island, soon enough all the stupid “were an island people” will be gone and this place can start to live again instead of slowly die like these old people and their ways!
Couldn’t of said it better myself. Like the residents of Ryde, who think you need a passport to get to Newport as it’s such a faraway land. God help them if they ever need to get to Freshwater, they will probably pack suitcases for a week.
I’m told that in the big world, it’s quite common to live in one place and work in another. Some folk who work in London actually live in the countryside. I know, it’s radical stuff isn’t it…..
About time ! Get this fixed link done , then we can all be happy and Merry.
It’s all well having a fixed link but it does leave us very vulnerable it’s very handy for hospitals but that’s all. Think of the people who would come over here for booze weekends save our little island if you dont like it MOVE OFF
Some of us can’t we are islanders born and bred here and we can’t afford too, and why should we?
Nearly everyone who wants a fixed link are not islanders. I say why did you come here in the first place? Just go back to where you came from.
People who think the island could be improved don’t have to MOVE OFF. They are quite entitled to argue for what they see as positive change. Rather that getting all shouty, you might want to outline why you think they are wrong, for example, how would a fixed link make us vulnerable ? Vulnerable to people coming over, staying in island owned properties and spending considerable sums of money in island pubs ?
You can
problem is the council can’t even manage a chain ferry let alone a cross solent ferry i can’t see this working it’s gonna be another expensive bill for taxpayers
Finally FINALLY a light switches on to illuminate the dense dark areas of the council “leader’s” and Island MP’s brains….It has been clear for about the last 50 years that the monopolised ferry companies are not serving the islanders interests, they are only serving their own interests. But beware, by a preference for option 1 being expressed, they are in effect further delaying option 2 (a fixed link) for many many decades.
A rail fixed link is what we need, but it’ll never happen.
Anything to do with the council elections coming up?
That was my first thought .
Trying to curry favour .
A little 2 late i feel .
Also by the time it went through planning and was actually built how long are we talking ? 20yrs plus
If they can’t get the floating bridge (or non floating bridge shall we say !)
What hope have we got with a fixed link ?
Not that I want a fixed link .
The beauty of leaving the EU is that it is all in the gift of our elected Government to resolve. Whatever the outcome, or solution, or even, do nothing, it’s in their gift, and importantly, our VOTE. Beautiful!
The Hebrides manage without a fixed link and so does the Isle of Man.
I chose to live here because I didn’t want to be part of the mainland.
I don’t know how to tell you this, but after we have decent connections to the mainland we will still be an island. You see the problem is that some islanders like going to the theater, going racing, visiting art galleries, seeing top class sport and a hundred other things that the island can’t offer. The island shouldn’t only be for people who like walking, sailing, and smoking weed on the beach. And the Hebrides looses all it’s young people who have to go to Glasgow or Aberdeen to find work (so I guess it is a bit like the IOW).
I like those things too and especially a bit of retail therapy which is non existent on the Island. All we need is a decent ferry service that is efficient and affordable. I don’t know how to tell you this, but the Hebrides is nothing like the Isle of Wight.
Don’t be stupid man! ‘Ever tried smoking the weed on Island beaches? No, it’s far too soggy and hard to light… Ridiculous comments. Don’t comment on subjects you know nothing of, sir. Now, properly cured bladder wrack is a whole different story….
Get Elon musk on it he will get it sorted. It’s a little stretch of liquid to cross.
B S
The Island is thriving under the current set up.Crime is virtually zero,there are plenty of good well paid jobs,Sandown has become a world class holiday resort..How dare Seely and Stewart insinuate these committed private companies put profit far above maintaining a good value reliable service.
It is outrageous
Where is your evidence? High unemployment, lack of services, expensive public transport, failing schools, hospital on its knees, social isolation. Need I go on???? Oh and as for Sandown, go walk there and tell me if it’s thriving? But that’s ok, we’ve got beautiful beaches…
Go then
Sandown? World class resort? What planet are you on?
The isle of wight has the highest unemployment rates in the South East of England. Salaries are notably lower on the island than the rest of the South East. As for Sandown being a popular tourist area I think you need to get of the island more. Shops and attractions are closing down. Have you seen all the disused buildings on the seafront? It costs someone over £100 to get on a ferry to get to the island. Its cheaper to go to Spain, France etc.
I agree sandown is the best holiday resort in Great Britain I really enjoy looking at all the collapsing hotels and buildings I also adore watching the druggies injecting themselves on the prom priceless
Errr …I was being sarcastic.”World Class” hahahahaha
More Stalinist garbage.
They are Plentiful on the island, educated by the mainstream media…
Too much BBC and Sky News…
LMFA! Did you see the state of east Germany when the wall fell? Was like it was still the 1950’s. Communists would never build anything.
Is it April 1st already?
If we had had a fixed link when we were in tier 1 how many of us would now be dead?
We like being an island, we do not want mainlanders coming over here and changing things for the worse. If you don’t like it sod off.
Yes well done sod off mainlanders
The island cannot survive without the income main landers bring over also take a look at the early morning ferries packed with main lander lorries delivering main lander goods to the few island shops left!
Get real and stop this nonsense that everything wrong on the isle of wight is main landers! Bring on the fixed link as it will bring much needed jobs and investment which clearly the island needs!
We haven’t got the infrastructure for a fixed link. At least the ferries have a set amount of cars that can come over. Imagine how our little island would cope with an endless stream of cars and people? Where would all these cars park? Extortionate car park fees etc would force them all onto our already crowded streets and that’s only one problem. We just need the ferry companies taken to task over their fares etc as we’ve been asking for years
People who want a fixed link are happy to shout about it until they see it will come out in their back yard. Then watch them moan.
Nothing wrong with the ferries as they are .quit moaning .
Ok Keith Greenfield.
How often do you use them? I used them daily for work and aside from the costs they are unreliable, times are currently not suitable for many workers, especially from Yarmouth. Much of the islands economy is based on tourism but part of the year round input is from workers traveling to the mainland. Much of the money I earn is spent on the island and like recently due to the ferry times not being suitable I haven’t been spending much on the island due to having to stay away during the week. There are pros and cons for both but the bigger picture is that ferry’s are now no longer a viable option. Just think how much your houses may go up of a fixed link is approved? I’m not a fan of the idea but the benefits far out weigh the cons.
The flaming torches and pitch forks are out in abundance! Go on savage each other…. the great reset relies upon division. You bloody fools.
At last, is it only now they realize that in order to pay bills, council tax and spend money locally, we need to be able to travel for work to the mainland and get to work on time. Let’s not be held to ransom by the ferry companies any longer.
Have you actual worked out the cost to commute should a fixed link ever get built, it is far more than people realise.
NO FIXED LINK.
Simple answer. If you don’t like livivng on an island with its minor inconveniences, move back to the mainland. We love our island as an island. NO FIXED LINK.
Well I hope you lose your benefits then as that’s exactly what your attitude states. Or of you have a pension I hope you get taxed high for it.
What’s that got to do with anything?
It is hard to stay against a fixed link with the way the ferry companies treat us. The ferry companies need to maintain their half hourly service during the winter and off peek times. As soon as the holiday makers go home your journey time goes up significantly as they cut the number of ferries. This makes it very hard to find a ferry time that arrives in time for your train.
Something needs to be done otherwise the fixed link gang will get their way.
Maybe a comprise would be a rail link to Portsmouth?
In Scotland I can buy a return trip for a car on a ferry that is a 40 minute route for £12. Wightlink, more like £70! Disgraceful.
No fix link it will ruin the island to many cars now we haven’t the roads for it, and people can’t drive properly now if you don’t like living on a island then you shouldn’t simple
The fact is ferries are privately owned and can reduce or stop services whenever they decide to, Does avoiding that from happening not matter as much as ensured 24hr connectivity to the mainland and vice versa, the effects on the on the island can be considered:
Uninterupted connections to the mainland to enable people can get to work.
Ability to always connect to the mainland to be able to access specialist medical interventions which are not available on the island.
Ensuring a lifeline for the shrinking tourism and hospitality industries that the island economy is reliant of. Not just in terms of business revenue or profit but also the survival of peoples livelihoods and the level of disposable income on the island.
Creaton of new jobs in hospitality, tourism, customer service and construction (to name a few) especially in these unprecidented time where businesses ( especially smaller independant ones that the island is sononymous for) may not survive without.
Creation of more housing to gentrify empty shops ( which has its pros and cons).
Increase in certain types and frequency of crime due to increase in population which a gentrified island may attract.
obviously there are many other points for and against which i do not want to mention or cause argumrnts over, plese respect these are just the points i have wanted to bring to light.
That tunnel looks cool! Bring on the future!
Family bust up in the Seeley house over New year then!!
Having milked Covid for all its worth, Seldom Seen must find another cow to start pumping.
I know it is lovely living on an Island, except when one has to get off, for whatever reason. The ferry companies change the prices to suit themselves, earning great amounts of money, millions.. yet they only give Islanders a 10% discount ( unless doing package deals or disabled, multi link etc.. ) Yet big companies, GKN, NHS etc get a much higher discount. Plus many times the ferry one wants is cancelled for any reason they want. Which makes it very difficult for commuters that work on mainland… no they cannot work on Island as there are no big businesses….and working zero hours contracts will not pay a mortgage ! Neither will split shifts for Tesco !!
So some work on mainland. And RELY on certain ferries. Another downfall is late night crossings, NO late night passenger ferries to RYDE, So one has to take car ferry, waste an hour plus only to get to Fishbourne and then try getting to RYDE..
No if one could think logically, if they kept the old ferry SIZE, then the costs would have been lower, and availability would have been often with less cancelled boats.
Only other problem is the weather, Wight Link Catamaran service, ‘Oh look a wave !’ cancelled… Hover craft.. oh dear a bit windy.. cancelled service. Car ferry… only two cars, one person off sick,,, cancelled !!
If all the ferries ran like buses, to a timed schedule and a SET PRICE… might be good, except for weather at times.
Could you imagine boarding a Vectis bus during a peak time, go to pay your £3.50, and the driver says, Sorry it is peak time £10.00 fare please… Well that is what ferries companies do at a much greater percentage !! Over £100.00 at certain times to bring a Mini across… ridiculous
Now I know many do not like the idea of a tunnel… reasons.. too many bad type people coming over…sorry they are already here… and many of the want not types cannot afford to leave this Island !
It is now 2021… this Island is slowly dying, no businesses, very few poor paid jobs available…, soon many houses being built only for the rich… just think of the cost to get the materials over on these ferries.. but sadly Islanders still complain, probably always will..
About time this Island stepped out of the dark ages, and become a beautiful Island for tourists and businesses… I know it already is for tourists, but if there is a fixed link, maybe the tourists would not come and stay for so long.. ! They and US could come and go at a much cheaper price. Win win situation, the Island would thrive.. and Islanders could get to mainland and come back any time of day or night… plus with fixed link, there will be trains to Island…people would be able to get better jobs on mainland and get back each day..
People need to look forward, not revel in the past… BUT I am not yet for electric cars…
Imagine the queues there will be at the charging places when out for a journey or on holiday, especially after battery dying whilst waiting for and on the Ferry !! ha ha Charging an electric car can take 3 to 8 hours…not like a petrol filling station… but imagine 8 hours to charge… and you are third in the queue.. @ Sorry boss just waiting to get car charged..’ ha ha !!
What is wrong with the anti fixed link brigades on here god forbid that you need it but if you need to get to a family member that has been flown to Salisbury for emergency care say for instance a full depth burn and need specialist treatment you can not travel with them you have a 20 min drive through the fixed link or 3 hours waiting to just land on the mainland and then another hour or so drive. All because your scared of change that will benefit those that live on the island one with a better infer structure and gain more tourist which in the long run will help with better trade which in turn create better jobs and finances for the small people on the island so please get a grip and stop fear mongering!
You could always move if you do not like living on an island.
and you could move too if you do not like progress.. get your head out of the mud, it is now 2021.. NOT 1901… guess you are a tree hugger too, trying to stop the world from turning.. idiot. People like you give children no hope… wonder if you were actually able to have any.. I feel sorry for them if so.