As the Government’s ‘levelling up’ funding was announced last week, the Isle of Wight walked away empty-handed.
The Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, said she was disappointed with the result, but that the council would continue to actively explore further funding opportunities to bring the Island Green Link forward.
What is the Island Green Link?
The Island Green Link is planned to enhance travel between Ryde and Yarmouth by improving cycling, walking, and bus routes, while also making accessibility improvements.
The ambition is to include over 20km of new and enhanced cycling and walking routes between Newport and Yarmouth, through construction of the long-planned Gunville and West Wight Greenways.
Jones-Evans: We were obviously disappointed
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans told News OnTheWight,
“We were obviously disappointed that our bid was unsuccessful on this occasion, having been successful in the previous round of Levelling Up funding in 2021. As we had already received funding, we were limited in round two to making one transport-related bid.
“We will continue to actively explore further funding opportunities to bring the Island Green Link forward as a whole or via particular elements from the original proposal.”
IWC: Plans remain a priority
An Isle of Wight council spokesperson told News OnTheWight,
“The Isle of Wight council was limited to making a transport-related bid in the 2022 Levelling Up funding round and so the Island Green Link was the only bid that was made as it was the most appropriate priority project for the fund.
“Currently, we have had no specific feedback to say why the scheme was unsuitable and we were disappointed that our bid was unsuccessful.
“Improving the bus, cycling and walking infrastructure between Ryde and Yarmouth, especially the West Wight Greenway remains a high priority and we will make further applications for funding when suitable opportunities arise.”
MP’s involvement
In November 2022, Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely announced that he had pressed the Island’s case for funding with minister, Dehenna Davison MP.
Along with the promises of an Island Deal to counter the multi-million pound additional cost of providing council services as an island, the funding has not materialised from the Government.
Pitcher: This latest failure simply highlights the problems we face
Vectis Party councillor, Daryll Pitcher, said,
“The announcement of the disappointing, but not unexpected, failure of the Isle of Wight to secure any funding in the second round of Levelling Up funding shines a light on the failed relationship between the Island and Westminster.
“It has always been the case that government has struggled to understand the Island and our needs, and to take into consideration our geography and the way this impacts on costs and affects opportunities. This, despite repeated attempts to explain it to them. This latest failure simply highlights the problems we face.”
He went on to add,
“In a bidding round where transport infrastructure and tourism regeneration were front and centre the Isle of Wight walked away with nothing. No doubt the likes of Bournemouth seafront (£18.2 million) and Morecombe (£50 million) need revitalizing but so too does the Bay Area with Sandown in particular in dire need of investment and new transport links with Ventnor key to that town’s long term prosperity.
“The Vectis Party deplore the government’s inability to take the Island’s circumstances into consideration. Ultimately if Westminster is unable to understand and accept our unique situation perhaps it is time to reassess our relationship with them.”
