This in from Cllr Dave Stewart, Group Leader for Isle of Wight Conservative councillors on the debate about the future of Island Line trains. In his own words. Ed
Following recent concerns expressed in the media regarding the future of the Island Railway Line, I thought it would be helpful to share my views as the IW Council Conservative Group Leader on this issue and on the wider role of the proposed ‘Task Force’ being championed by our Island MP Andrew Turner to look at our Island Infrastructure.
Looking at the whole issue of infrastructure
My understanding is that the formation of the ‘task force’ will enable us to look at the whole issue of infrastructure supporting our Island, including our rail, road and ferry systems, and in the process enable us to take advantage of the opportunity created by the review of the rail franchise in 2017 to consider all options available to us – including those specifically relating to this important transport link.
It is my view that the council needs to take a lead role in the debate on the future of the Island Rail line as part of a wider infrastructure review and I support the council leader in that approach.
Council leader has my full support
I recently accompanied the council leader to Westminster to speak with the minister for railways, Claire Perry MP, and did so to share information and to show a unified approach from the Island for this important issue.
I am aware that one option available to us is a ‘community model‘ but there may be others and we must explore them all – looking at the facts to ensure what we do what is the best for the Island. We will need to present a business case to the government showing our commitment and that business case needs to be based on facts not personal agendas.
I know the Council leader is also seeking to achieve this goal – and in that objective he has my full support.
Keeping things as they are would be doing tourism “a dis-service”
Those who argue that we should just keep things as they are, ignoring opportunities and realities that exist including the very obvious fact that the Island Line’s infrastructure and rolling stock are at the end of their useful life are doing the Island Tourism and Economy a dis-service, also show a poverty of ambition for the Island and what could achieved – a position that the IW Council Conservative Group do not share because we are determined to do and support what is in the Island’s best interests.
The rail link is of vital importance to the ferry link, particularly for commuters, so we owe it to all Islanders to overcome any vested interests and examine the wider picture to find solutions for the greater good of the Island.
Preserving and enhancing the service
So I look forward to engaging in the debate and most importantly helping find a solution which will preserve and enhance the service provided by individual transport links, as well as contributing to the development of our whole transport infrastructure on which so much of our economy and community lifestyle relies.
Image: tompagenet under CC BY 2.0
