Long-awaited plans to regenerate Ryde High Street are set to move forward with immediate effect after Councillor Reuben Loake says bureaucracy holding up the project has been removed.
Councillor Loake, who represents Ryde North West, has announced that work to progress the regeneration can now get underway following a meeting with council officers last week.
The scheme has been around 6 years in the planning, with funding having been secured through the Heritage Action Zone programme.
However, Councillor Loake says the High Street had still not been regenerated as residents had previously been promised, something he described as a source of frustration.
After meeting with officers involved in the project, he says the issues preventing progress were identified and bureaucracy causing the delay was removed.
Cllr Loake has said:
“I have been as frustrated as you have been that after six years in the planning and having secured the funds via Heritage Action Zone the High Street has not been regenerated as you were promised.
Article continues below this advertisement “Last week I met with Council Officers involved in the project and asked the questions you have asked me, namely ‘Can we just get on with it please?!’
“They agreed and after ascertaining what was blocking the works being started, we removed the bureaucracy that was causing the delay, and now all parties are committed to starting the planning and works with immediate effect.”
An artist’s impression shared alongside the announcement shows a pedestrianised High Street featuring new street furniture, trees and planting.
Councillor Loake says further engagement with residents and local businesses will take place over the coming months, when more detailed plans will be presented and those affected will have an opportunity to ask questions and put forward suggestions.
He has thanked officers at Ryde Town Council, his predecessor Councillor Phil Jordan and Councillor Diana Conyers for their work in securing funding for the project, alongside the Strategic Regeneration and Economy team at the Isle of Wight Council.
Speaking about his ambitions for the town, Councillor Loake added:
“For far too long our beautiful town has been in decline and as I set out in my letter to residents before this year’s local elections the High Street in particular looked tired and forgotten about.
“Not anymore.”
Pig. Lipstick. Pig.