Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said he is hopeful that the Government will announce plans for a multi-million-pound upgrade to the dilapidated Island Line railway and Ryde Pier at some point later this year.
Mr Seely told a packed meeting of the Ryde Society at the Esplanade Hotel on Saturday that it would be the first proper investment in the line for 50 years, should it go ahead as planned. The investment, subject to ongoing talks, is expected to be in the region of £50-60million split across the Island Line network and Ryde Pier.
In a keynote speech highlighting his vision for the Island and his opposition to overdevelopment, he also said he was trying to get the Isle of Wight Council to agree to a railway line between Ryde and Newport.
Mr Seely called for the Island to be made a National Park, as suggested by writer J.B. Priestley back in 1959. The MP said that the Island’s beautiful landscape makes it “the most painted part of the UK apart from West Cornwall”, and tourism accounts for between 20 and 50% of the economy.
The proposed Pennyfeathers development for 900 homes on a greenfield site on the outskirts of Ryde was slammed as ‘unsustainable’ by Seely. He said:
“They don’t have infrastructure for so many houses. There is no public transport so people would have to depend on their cars.”
Bob has called on Isle of Wight councillors to man-up and be willing to challenge central government and the developers.
The meeting was part of a series of engagements Bob is attending across the Island to raise awareness of the Island Plan. Bob has previously met with residents in Wellow, Bembridge, Brading, Northwood and East Cowes to listen to their concerns.
A survey and petition against the housing targets can be found at http://islandvision.uk/Islandplan/.
Don’t hold your breath.
If it happens it’ll be a scandalous waste of money. What about the ferries Seely? They’re bankrupting the island.
How about the same deal as the Scots have with there ferries. It supposed to be in united kingdom after all.
Caledonian ferries have government subsidised fares through the Barnett agreement.
Join the discussion…will we get newer trains and not just London underground cast offs???