Just before the Christmas break we asked what one thing you’d change about the Island in order to improve it.
Readers were swift to reply and responses poured in over the holiday period.
There were a range of ideas to improve the Isle of Wight, but for ease, we thought we’d break them up into categories and feature different ideas each week.
Transport the first of many
The first, and overwhelmingly most popular, was transport. Whether it was the ferries, roads, trains or idea of a fixed link – this is the area you felt most needed attention.
Below are those emails to us and at the bottom of the article is a slideshow of your suggestions left on Facebook.
Roads
A sober, but because of legal terms unfortunately a “pie in the sky” idea: Cancel the Highways PFI contract immediately and put aside as much money for urgent repairs as the Council can afford. It’s bad enough that central Government have imposed all those devastating cuts, but at least we could do well without the Island Roads millstone around our necks!
Corrie Rayner
Reduce the speed limits across the Island, as people drive far too fast for the types of roads that are here. We have a holiday cottage next door to us and all the holidaymakers comment on the speed that drivers do. Remember, drive to the conditions and not to the speed limit!
Jan Grosvenor
A sustainable all Island off-road cycle network which links Totland to Bembridge, Cowes to Ventnor and everything in between (building on the existing cycle paths).
Helen Wood
Trains
Replace those shabby underground trains with more modern trains which are cleaner and quieter. Most tourist use the train when they first arrive on the Island but these old trains do not give a good impression of the Island’s true identity.
John Davies
Forget spending millions on a fixed link, and re open the steam railway link to Ventnor, invest in attractions to the Island! Tourist need a reason to come, improve on seafronts, beaches, restrict development accecpt that what will boost the whole community and not just the developer! Look back to look forward, what a selling point, a steam train from Ryde Pier Head to hotels in Sandown, Shanklin and on to Ventnor priceless! But it can only be a dream!
P Mew
Ferries
Regular, sensible, priced Ferries both ends of the Island 24hrs a day.
Chris Newman
Free ferry fares to mainland for all Island residents. Failing that, free car parking to all who pay their council tax.
Lynne Morgan
Fixed Link
I would change the attitudes of those Islanders who think that the Island economy can survive without a fixed link. George Osborne has said that he will go ahead with a fixed link if Islanders want it and government funding is available. This is the only option to make the Island a great place for everyone and to give the economy the essential boost that it needs, not just to grow, but to survive!
Debbie Andre
The Island needs a fixed link. It would provide better schools & jobs prospects as well as making us keep up with the 21st Century. Why keep Islanders in the back water when a fixed link will give you a choice.
Angie
A fixed link above all else.
Charles Courtney
Simple…frequent and cheap ferry service…or…a bridge!
Graham
Build a bridge to the mainland.
Tony
A fixed link. Preferably a zip line…
Anon
As well as emailing us your ideas, many of you left comments on Facebook. Here’s a selection of the ideas gathered together in a slideshow. Simply click on the right arrow to move through it.
