It’s ‘fingers crossed’ now for a £14 million bid to improve some of the Island’s cycle tracks after the approval was given to submit it to government.
As part of the second round of Levelling Up funding, the Isle of Wight Council has pulled together the multi-million-pound sustainable transport network to complete the ‘Island Green Link’.
Three parts to bid
The bid, which has now received the council’s cabinet seal of approval, is made up of three parts: the Ryde to Yarmouth public transport corridor, the West Wight Greenway and the Newport hub and spokes scheme.
As part of the transport corridor, work on the bus infrastructure is proposed as well as the idea to improve the walkway over the railway line in Ryde to increase accessibility for Hovertravel customers.
The West Wight Greenway is a piece of longstanding work the council has been trying to achieve for ten years, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, cabinet member for regeneration says, and will create a multi-use off-road track from Freshwater to Newport.
Jones-Evans: Important community corridors
Cllr Jones-Evans told the cabinet on Monday night that the links would be important community corridors and enhance the Island’s cycling reputation with safer, alternative routes away from the main roads.
The council says, through the schemes, it would deliver greater connectivity to the Island’s gateway and underline the Island’s credentials as an environmentally sustainable destination.
Complete the survey
Islanders who travel on any section of route between Ryde and Yarmouth are being asked to complete a survey as part of the bid ahead of its submission.
You can complete the survey online, and responses will be accepted until 24th June.
Previous success
The Island was successful in receiving £5.8 million in the first round of funding last year for the East Cowes Marina Hub project, which is already underway.
As the authority was successful the first time, it is only able to bid for transport-related schemes with up to £14 million available.
The bid has to be submitted by 6th July.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © visitisleofwight
