This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council is pushing forward with analysis of the practical options available for Island Line, and has appointed the Transportation arm of Atkins to undertake a study on its behalf.
The study will consider the costs, benefits and risks of the different approaches to the future provision of the Ryde pier head to Shanklin service. Results of the report are expected by the end of August.
Money for Taskforce not forthcoming
This work was expected to be overseen by the proposed Island Infrastructure Task Force, however, the external funding needed to create the task force by the council has not been forthcoming.
In the light of the government’s recent decision not to extend the existing South West rail franchise to 2019 from the scheduled end date of 2017, the council has decided to commission this research from within its own resources to ensure that options are evaluated so that any future decisions can be based on tangible evidence showing what is actually practical and achievable.
Government want to see study
The council understand that the government has asked to see the outcomes of this study although it has not communicated this directly to the council nor made a financial contribution to the work of the proposed task force as it had suggested it could.
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council said:
“I hope the work we have asked Atkins to complete will provide objective information and data about the Island Line service that can inform the decisions we as a council want to make about it.
“Part of Atkins’ work will include seeking the views of the key strategic stakeholders in Island Line and will provide an indication of the best model for its future service provision.
“Any solution needs to deliver the continuation and improvement of the services for the benefit of the community and visitors to the Island and to bear in mind the restrictive timescales we face. To me it seems to be absolutely clear that this means retaining the franchise but we must produce evidence to support the case in order to show government what is the right outcome.”
Whitehall visit next week
Council officers are visiting Whitehall to meet with the Department of Transport representatives next week, however, it is unlikely that this will provide a clear steer at this stage about its intentions for Island Line, in the specification for the new franchise.
Councillor Bacon continued:
“In an era governed by the national austerity agenda we must consider the possibility that the government could omit the Island Line from the South West franchise altogether in order to secure greater financial benefit from the wider franchise.
“The council must be in the best position to be able to influence the DfT’s deliberations on the subject from an informed point of view. We must be clear about the potential for maintaining and improving Island Line as part of the franchise, while setting it against the serious risks arising from it being left out of the franchise. It is important that we have some indication of the costs and benefits of operating Island Line by the end of August, so that we can persuade government make provision for funding Island Line as part of the current spending review.”
Submissions under the spending review are due to be with government by 4 September.
