The Department for Transport has confirmed the Isle of Wight council’s funding allocation for the 2025/26 financial year.
This confirmation brings long-awaited clarity to the council’s Green Link initiative, enabling contracts to be awarded for the first time.
Contracts and deadlines
The council must commit the grant money by the end of March 2026. Because of this, the first phase of works will focus on land already under the council’s control.
The next step involves procuring contractors to carry out the planned improvements.
Further funding awaited
The council expects to find out in June how much funding will be made available beyond 2025/26.
This will follow the Government’s spending review, which may impact longer-term delivery of the Green Link scheme.
Background to the funding
£13.5 million in levelling-up funding was announced for the Green Link project in November 2023.
This came from round three of the government’s grant process which aims to support new walking and cycling routes across the Island.
Plans include linking Ryde to Yarmouth, improving access from Newport town centre to Gunville, and progressing the long-awaited West Wight Greenway.
