Making the most of a Ministerial visit to the Island earlier this month, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely took the opportunity to raise the profile of other important local issues with Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris.
During the Minister’s visit to the Island – to announce the £26million investment in the Island’s railway – Bob took the opportunity to discuss other issues with Mr Heaton-Harris such as the ferries, Undercliff Drive, the Island’s cycle network and the extending the Island’s railway.
Bob said:
“I would like to thank the Minister for coming to visit the Island and agreeing to give us £26m to keep our railway open.
“I raised a number of other transport-related issues that the Minister and his department may be able to help us with and I look forward to having further meetings and correspondence with him to take these issues forward.
“I hope that this is the start of many more improvements to our transport links on the Island.”
During the meeting, Bob raised the controversial issue of a fixed link and sought the DfT’s views on the viability of this. Bob also spoke to the Minister about options to improve cross-Solent travel services on the Island and the likelihood of reopening the A3055 – Undercliff Drive – between Niton and St Lawrence.
Bob also asked for support to develop the West Wight cycle route, as well as others, and discussed the viability of extending the Island’s railway network – both electric and steam.
The Minister agreed to ask the DfT to look into the issues raised by Mr Seely.
in other words, the minister knows nothing and simply passed the work on to one of the staff members at the DFT – they then filed it under “when I can be bothered, some time later, but not this year, anyhow, better get the kettle on”
I’d hate to live in your world full of negativity and morose emotions.
a rather broad assumption you have made Martin Ryde – I’m guessing you are one of these hand wringing liberals.
The reality is that the minister has no idea about the intricacies of the portfolio he is responsible for. He may hold the position for months, or a year or two. Then re-shuffled.
The work is done by the civil service and they will already have a workload – this will be filed until a later date and nothing will be done immediately.
everything in politics moves at a glacial pace – with exception of self interest, tax rises and anti democratic remain politicians on their single issue focus – brexit.
He visited Brading station for the press release and came over on the Victoria of Wight car ferry!!!!