KILF Campaign challenges IW Councillors to back the regional rail franchise
Ahead of next week’s public meeting, the newly-formed Keep Island Line Franchise (KILF) Campaign has written to all those members of the Isle of Wight Council who represent communities on the Ryde to Shanklin route, urging them to unequivocally back Island Line remaining in the South Western rail franchise for the duration of the next franchise period.
Within 24 hours, this challenge has already led to cross-party support coming from Conservative, Labour, UKIP and Independent councillors who represent Sandown, Lake and Ventnor.
Councillors asked to shares their position
On behalf of the Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) Campaign Group, Chris Quirk asked East Wight councillors to unequivocally back Island Line’s retention in the franchise, with service requirements at least comparable with the existing contract.
If they are unwilling to take such a stance, he has asked them to instead indicate whether they wish to keep other options on the table by progressing the plans for the proposed Taskforce.
Writing to the councillors, Shanklin town member (and deputy mayor) Cllr Quirk said:
“It is clear that the proposed Taskforce remains without any financial support or structure. The Government has declined to provide any funding to support its work; the Council is not in a position to provide any; and one has to be sceptical that any will come from the Solent LEP.
“At this point in time the Taskforce serves only as a distraction from what should be the principal objective of local politicians, to simply articulate the case for Island Line’s retention in the South Western rail franchise.
“Even the most basic consideration of the challenges which Island Line faces leads to the conclusion that its future is best secured within a wider operating franchise, and that all efforts should be focused on securing this outcome. At this time any deliberations to the contrary – such as exploring different options through the Taskforce – will undermine this case.”
Manipulation of Taskforce
The KILF Campaign has also expressed concern about how the IW Council’s decision in November 2014 to establish the Taskforce is now being used as a possible vehicle to promote alternative options for Island Line.
Cllr Quirk added:
“When Full Council voted last November to support the establishment of the Taskforce, at no point was it suggested that this would subsequently be used as a mechanism to explore the removal of our train service from a viable, healthy franchise.
“It does appear that Full Council’s support last November for the Taskforce is now being retrospectively used to give false legitimacy to these ambitions.”
Cross-party support
Since writing to the 12 IW Council members on the Ryde to Shanklin on Tuesday (4th) morning, the KILF Campaign has already secured the cross-party support of the following members for unequivocally backing Island Line’s retention in the franchise, and dropping any consideration of alternatives through the Taskforce:
- Cllr Ray Bloomfield (Conservative, Lake South)
- Cllr Alan Hollands (Labour, Lake North)
- Cllr Bob Blezzard (Sandown Independent, Sandown North).
Cllr Graham Perks (UKIP, Ventnor East) has also come on board, given that Ventnor benefits from the train services to and from Shanklin.
Campaign gaining “real momentum”
The KILF Campaign hopes that many more IW Council members will come on board in the coming days: by backing the franchise and rejecting the consideration of alternatives through any Taskforce deliberations.
Speaking in response to these declarations, David Pugh (Conservative) and Stewart Blackmore (Labour) said:
“We are delighted that this vital campaign is gaining real momentum, now drawing support from all the main parties locally – alongside the wider Island community. Anyone who cares about our local train service should back these efforts to secure its future. It is essential that the Island’s MP and the Government start listening to these concerns.”
Public meeting
The public meeting organised by the KILF Campaign is taking place at Shanklin Theatre on Tuesday 11th August at 7:30pm.
All members of the public are welcome.
Cllr Quirk’s email to councillors
Image: tompagenet
under CC BY 2.0
