The two businessmen behind the Isle of Wight Fixed Link Referendum Facebook group, Carl Feeney and Kevin Price, have today launched their proposed plans for a Solent Tunnel.
The plans reveal a 20.9km tunnel with a road for two-way traffic, a monorail train line, a service lane, as well as room for telecommunication cables and utilities.
Click on image to see larger vesion
Referendum alongside General Elections
A Website presenting the plans suggest a Referendum on a fixed link could be tacked onto polling during the General Election in May 2015.
Those behind the plan say,
“We are hoping that with this plan or evolved plan, that a fair and democratic referendum will be held in conjunction with the May general election to decide whether Islanders want to be free from total ferry reliance, or if they feel the ferries are the way to continue with no alternative?”
Monorail through the tunnel and beyond
The proposed terminals would be in Arreton on the Isle of Wight and on greenfield land to the immediate West of Tichfield Abbey on the mainland.
Click on image to see larger vesion
Plans include the Monorail to continue beyond the tunnel on the Isle of Wight, linking Arreton to Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Brading, Sandown and stopping short at Shanklin (what about Ventnor?).
Click on image to see larger vesion
Costs and concerns
Potential income from the tunnel is outlined on the Website, with details of how much it might cost to use for domestic and freight transport.
Many of the concerns raised during the debate on Facebook have been addressed on the Website and those behind the plan invite readers to register and leave their feedback.
For more information visit the Solent Tunnel Website.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Solent Tunnel
