Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has acknowledged the glaring problem with the Isle of Wight’s ferry travel and has issued a commitment to doing all she can to find a ‘solution’.
The significant development follows substantial engagement between Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley and the Department for Transport.
It also comes in the wake of the Island’s ferry roundtable, the first event of its kind in nearly a decade, which brought together Maritime Minister Mike Kane, both of the Island’s MPs, and a range of other local stakeholders.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, has said:
“It’s clear that transport off the Island is an important issue for residents. We have listened to islanders and Richard Quigley MP has worked tirelessly on bringing this problem to our attention. We are doing everything we can to find a solution.”
Richard Quigley believes this commitment from the Secretary of State marks the first time the Department for Transport has formally acknowledged the Isle of Wight’s ferry issues.
However, last week Island Echo reported that Prime Minister Kier Starmer had acknowledged the issue. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/starmer-says-isle-of-wight-ferries-have-simply-not-been-good-enough/.
Richard has said:
“Whilst the issues are obvious to us, it’s my job as a member of parliament to raise these issues at the highest levels of government.
“Heidi is very much on top of her brief and wants to make sure the Island benefits from the integrated transport plan. We can’t get off the Island without using a ferry service.
“It’s been really helpful having two MPs for the Island as Joe Robertson and I are united on this issue so the DfT have had twice the volume of requests for help”.
It is so easy, just subside it for island residents.
My oldest son lives and works in the big smoke,
because he lives within the congestion charge zone
he only pays 10% of the actual charge.
TFL don’t charge full rate for such persons, so the same
can be done for island residents.
“IW Council can subsidise island residents with a little
help from the Government”
It is not rocket science, it ain’t everyday an islander
goes across the solent.
Another idea is to issue island residents with a number of
free tickets eg 4 a year.
TFL is a publically owned body. Our ferry companies are privately owned by investment companies. Therefore a huge difference in fair fares. We cannot do what you suggest as we might as well sign a blank check to them!
and who pays for the free tickets then?
and where does the council get the money from to subisidise travel – the council tax payers.
people who travel for appointments at the hospital can already claim back the ferry cost from the nhs – such as cancer treatment.
someone who commutes 5 days a week, pays on average £5 a day, £2.50 each way on an annual season ticket – stop whining
It does not alter the fact tha the isle of wight ferry companies are the most unrelaible in the country, no point in having disocunted crossings if they do not run.
and….nothing will change, that you can be assured of
Richard Quigley and Joe Robertson have shown great integrity in working together for the best interests of all Islanders, irrespective of which cnstituency they live in or their political persuasion. I am only sorry that the Transport did not also recognise the joint working. Most people in the country are not interested in MPs indulging in party political oneupmanship, they simply want what is best for the people.
The solution will be placed in the something to look at later file.
she’s thick and useless as she looks..