A Solent tunnel is not a new idea – a resolution supporting a proposed tunnel was passed by Ventnor District Council at their meeting on 9th February 1914. Boring operations had recently taken place at Fort Victoria near Yarmouth to a depth of 260ft. It was intended to construct a tunnel between Keyhaven on the mainland to the left bank of the Yar. The tunnel would then connect with the Freshwater, Yarmouth & Newport (FYN) railway. Ventnor Council urged the County Council to seek the support of other town councils for the scheme. Various councillors spoke in support of the idea. Introducing the subject, Cllr Wicks claimed the tunnel would advertise the Isle of Wight as a whole. 
Cllr Roberts said:
“A Solent tunnel was an obvious necessity for the Island whether its future lay in catering for summer visitors or returning to the winter seasons of olden times.”
Cllr Judd believed:
“This is the most important scheme that has come before the Council during the last 50 years. Property in the Island – at least around the health resorts – would increase in value by 50 per cent if a tunnel was constructed.”
Cllr Vincent atated:
“A tunnel would mean the saving of hundreds of pounds to tradesmen in the conveyance of their goods.”
The tunnel scheme was put on hold on the outbreak of World War I on 28th July 1914. In 1920, an Isle of Wight deputation met with the then Transport Minister Sir Eric Geddes, to urge the idea be revived. In 1927, the Ministry of Transport informed Isle of Wight County Council that there was insufficient demand to justify the costs of construction. Further information on the proposed Solent Tunnel can be found in the following article.
There is still “insufficient demand to justify the costs of construction”, which would be astronomical.
Feasible in those days.
Freight and passenger services from Brockenhurst to Newport and then on to all other parts of the Island. This would also have meant that the Island railways would not have died a slow death. Instead, the whole network would be thriving today.
This just reinforces the message that over 110 years ago the idea of a Solent tunnel was proved uneconomical. Now, the reality of the changes on both sides of the water from then to the present day – both with developments and environmental protection to the coastal areas – further scuppers the idea. The attempt in recent years by Pro-Link claiming widespread Island support failing it’s fundraising efforts just for a feasibility study, plus now the proposed route’s tunnel entrance on the mainland has been developed for other economic use. The economical reality of Pro-Link’s website spreadsheet showing “Revenue Assessment using Toll Prices” required 75% of crossings to be made by Islanders to pay a £2,000 annual permit just repeats history.
More of the Islands railways would still be open had this tunnel been built.
It’s a well know topic, but the problem came from the potential financiers.
At the time the money would have come from the companies supplying money for the developing ferry companies. They realised there would be a loss of “monitary return” on the ferries.
Another “fly in the ointment” was Albert building and improving Osborne House
This gave a greater focus on transport link to North Wight, and the London/Portsmouth rail link.
Interestingly thectest tunnel entrances, on both sides are still there. Over grown but accessible.
Bring it on Bridge or Tunnel
People with foresight, unlike now with hindsight.