THE ISLE of Wight Council is spending around £37m on improving the lives of Island residents this year, in a revised programme which is due to be delivered by April 2008.
The huge capital spending programme is seeing cash directed at a number of key projects on the Island with some of the money being spent on projects identified in the “One Island” programme.
The spending on key Isle of Wight projects has increased from £21m last year — a rise of £16m.
Top of the list of the spending priorities is the £6.2m project to rebuild Ryde Interchange – one of the Isle of Wight’s key “gateway” locations.
Other key projects include a £1.5m spend to improve public conveniences at key resorts as well as other locations across the Isle of Wight.
The council is also planning to spend around £1.2m on highway and footpath improvements.
Speed control signs are to be installed at key locations including 20mph signs outside selected Isle of Wight schools in a programme of works costing £750,000.
Other key spending priorities are:
Essential repairs to council properties – £2.5m
School premises and property improvements – £18.6m.
Leader of Isle of Wight Council Councillor David Pugh said: “This realistic programme contains a balance of on-going investment plus the start or continuation of major projects to improve the quality of life for Isle of Wight residents.
“We have revised this programme to ensure that we are in a position to deliver it before the end of the financial year.”
“The council is concentating on projects which will help to deliver “One Island” themes to bring benefits through improvement to the public realm, increased community safety and investment in regeneration and the local economy.
“The council is also planning to make a significant investment in its own ICT to help improve the quality and effectiveness of the council’s services to the public and to help deliver its One Island initiatives programmes.”
