Bob Seely MP has written to Levelling Up Minister, Dehenna Davison, asking her department to support the Isle of Wight Council’s bid for an ‘Island Green Link’ through Round 2 of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The bid seeks to link up sustainable transport networks across the Island, filling the existing gap in connectivity.
The proposed project consists of 3 elements: the creation of a Ryde to Yarmouth public transport corridor; a multi-use cycle route between Newport and Freshwater – the ‘West Wight Greenway’; and the Newport Hub and Spokes scheme which will extend existing cycle routes and establish a mobility hub connecting Green Link projects with existing public transport.
Mr Seely said:
“We were successful in round one at securing nearly £6 million to improve facilities in East Cowes which includes the Columbine building and neighbouring barrack site, as well the creation of a new public square along the esplanade.
“We are now looking to secure a second bid to help us to link up our cycle networks to give Islanders the opportunity to move towards more sustainable methods of travel and to enhance our tourism offer.
“I am keen to do all I can to maximise opportunities such as this to ensure that the Island continues to benefit from a better deal from government.
“I have therefore written to the Minister in support of the bid, and I have also invited her to the Island so she can see how the Levelling Up Fund is already helping the Island to deliver regeneration and economic growth, and how it could assist the Island further.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Cycle routes are no damn good if you are 80. What we need is a good public transport system which serves everybody.
The Island’s public transport system serves the elderly very well as they can travel on it for free. For people struggling to survive on low IW wages it is prohibitively expensive.
You try using the present public transport system if you live in say Havenstreet or St lawrence.
What IS needed is to extend the cycle path from where it currently ends at Lake water works to cross the marsh and come out at Sandown bay.
This would provide a lovely cycle ride of Sea, town and country and would encourage people to cycle to the seaside who live in more country areas and use cars to go to the sea beach.
A link joining the Wroxall cycle path to the Alverstone cycle route would be very desirable too.
Yet by time countless faceless ‘associates’ of our suss council have dipped into ANY pot of money, will be lucky to buy two cycle racks
The thing with community assets is they can not cater for every single person or group, some will benefit, some wont, c’est la vie
But for other age groups it helps to keep them physically healthy thus making healthcare free to focus on old folks. It’s a win-win either way.
Seely: “I am keen to do all I can to maximise opportunities such as this to ensure that the Island continues to benefit from a better deal from government.”
A “deal” isn’t one-off projects. It is an enduring increase in the funding the Isle of Wight gets from central Government in recognition of its island status.
Seely promised this and has failed to deliver anything close to it
.
“Seely promised” – ah, there’s the snag.
“Seely promised this and has failed to deliver anything close to it”
well,.. he only had half a sausage at a BBQ in lockdown,.. does that make him only half as deceitful and corrupt as his puppet masters ??
The only ‘greenlink’ problem is the Solent, a tunnel would be a brilliant solution… no ships fumes or waste going into the Solent.
,,, less boating accidents, less travellers moaning, more tourists and business’ coming to and from the island Islanders would be able to drive t mainland on Christmas day fo dinner with family, then drive back…
It is great asking the Government for money, but the government gives the money to HAMPSHIRE… so the HAMPSHIRE councils divide it up and ISLE OF WIGHT gets pennies… if anything.
Quite agree
What planet are you on? It’s an Island, do you want it to be part of the mainland? The tourists come here because it is an Island.
The infrastructure here can’t handle more traffic, it would cost billions, take years, and we are in the middle of an economic crisis.
Get a COST EFFECTIVE and reliable Ferry operator, that caters for the Island and no it’s own interests.
Of all the needs on the Island Mr Seely has put Island Green Link through. Is this person really interested in the residents of the Island or just likes getting a mention now and then or photo shoot to let us know he is in HoP?
Maybe he should look into the building of all the housing on Greenfield sites,?????
Maybe he should also look at the infrastructure on the island,???
Maybe he could level up Dr’s Dentists etc ..
Maybe he should spend more time on the island, instead of popping by for half a sausage !!!!!!!
Well done Bob .. you did it again .. ignored the islands voice, followed the Tory line of distraction then claim a point with a strongly worded letter ..
When will you ever do you job properly, ? You have certainly had long enough ..but delivered nothing .. try less photo ops and foreign travel and listen to the islands voice .. or get out of town .
What the f**k is Seldom seen Seely waffling about. We need another hospital, not more cycle tracks, stop jumping on the so called “green” cyclist lot, not exactly green are they after all British Cycling are now sponsored by Shell, what a joke. Step outside your very expensive home Bob and check out what is going on in the real world, not Rishi’s millionaires world.