The Government have responded to the Leader of the Isle of Wight council regarding the £13.5m grant funding for the Island Green Link Transport scheme, also referred to as the West Wight Greenway, on the Island.
This project was used to apply for funding from the previous Government earlier in 2024 and was originally confirmed as successful for the project to deliver a cycle way from Freshwater to Ryde. The project also included some works in both the Ryde and Newport High Street Action Zones (HAZ) areas.
The funding was thrown into doubt when the new government placed a hold on levelling up funding grants, as well as the Ryde Town Board grant funding.
The funding will go ahead
Following more recent contact with Government between the Leader of the council and the Minister it has been confirmed that the funding will go ahead after all and will be available for the 2025/26 financial year.
Jordan: This really is a great outcome for us as an Island
Commenting today (Monday), Councillor Phil Jordan the Leader of the council said,
“This really is fantastic news for the Island. I feared we may have lost the funding and the opportunity to make a big difference to this project and for our Island. The funding is, after all, a very substantial amount of money for us as an Island.
“It also means not only the main cross Island Greenway being created and adapted with various approaches being utilised across the length of the scheme to improve connectivity for cycling and other sustainable modes of transport, including walking, it will secure the works required through both Ryde and Newport HAZ schemes.
“This really is a great outcome for us as an Island and I am so pleased the Minister and his team have responded to my determined requests for the money”
The levelling up 3 funding will be available in 2025 and the Council is now pushing ahead with finalising as much of the scheme as possible prior to the start of next financial year.
News shared by Phil Jordan, in his own words. Ed
