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Christopher Garnett

Christopher Garnett OBE is an independent transport expert who has agreed to help the Isle of Wight council on informing the Island’s collective response to DfT proposals for Island Line trains.

Mr Garnett is the chairman of the Transport Coordinating Committee for the Rugby World Cup 2015, was a board member of the Olympic Delivery Authority, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Great North Eastern Railways for ten years and a board member for Transport for London for six years.

24, April 2020·3 min read

£1.5m per month support for Isle of Wight ferry companies until summer (updated)

Just been announced that the Department for Transport has agreed to fund Isle of Wight ferry companies during April, May and June. Details within

Red Funnel and Wightlink ferries and the Hovercraft

15, January 2021·5 min read

£6.5m extra public money for Isle of Wight ferry companies to keep them running in Lockdown #3 (updated)

The Government are stepping in to give the cross-Solent operators an extra £6.5m to keep them running during Lockdown #3

20, April 2016·2 min read

Campaigners call on DfT to disregard Garnett’s Island Line recommendations

The recommendations from the Garnet Report were rejected by Isle of Wight councillors in March so members of KILF are calling on the DfT will disregard Christopher Garnett's recommendation that Island Line is excluded from the wider rail franchise.

21, October 2015·3 min read

Council leader says questions over transport expert are ‘mischief’ making

As Chris Garnett and Nick Finney know each other from years gone by, questions have been raised. The leader of the council describe these as a "desire to make mischief to unclear ends".

8, July 2020·2 min read

Cross-Solent foot passenger numbers at around 15 per cent of normal levels say Isle of Wight council

The Isle of Wight council say they are closely monitoring the number of cross-Solent passengers in order to work out when the FastCat should be reinstated. Details within

21, December 2020·2 min read

Cuts to Isle of Wight ferry services imminent says Chair of Transport Board

The Chairman of the Board says that all cross-Solent ferry operators are reviewing their scheduling. Here's what we know

21, July 2020·3 min read

FastCat: Hopes for upturn in Ryde businesses, says IWC Leader

Chair of the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board. says he hopes that with the new, more positive messaging about using public transport and school holidays we will see real growth in foot passenger numbers

21, October 2015·6 min read

Future of Island Line touched on during commons rail debate

If you missed the live debate, you can read the transcript from Andrew Turner's speech and excerpts of the minister's response.

Andrew Turner at House of Commons - 11 Jan 2016

5, February 2016·1 min read

Garnett Report: MP responds

It's the MP's turn to have his say in the hotly-anticipated Garnett Report on the future of Island Line.

19, July 2016·3 min read

Garnett to head new Isle of Wight Infrastructure Transport Task Force

Christopher Garnett once again offers his services free of charge, to seek out and collate the views of stakeholders, and discuss with government the infrastructure needs of the Island.

13, September 2018·6 min read

Government responds to Isle of Wight petition calling for regulated ferry fares

Over 17,500 people have so far signed the petition calling on the Government to regulate ferry fares in the UK. The Government have responded. Read it here.

island line sign by curns with christopher garnett

5, February 2016·3 min read

Hotly-anticipated Island Line Garnett report revealed (updated)

The transport expert has spent four months gathering information and speaking to stakeholders to help inform the council's response to the DfT consultation on the future of Island Line trains.

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