The Isle of Wight council has voted to take action on “more expensive” and “less reliable” ferry services and ExxonMobil’s “extremely damaging” pipeline.
At a Full Council meeting on Wednesday evening at Newport’s County Hall, councillors voted for a motion, merged from two separate submissions by councillors Michael Lilley and Ed Blake, which calls for the “democratic control” of Solent ferry companies, and Councillor Nick Stuart’s motion that includes the council raising “concerns and objections” regarding the Solent CO2 pipeline with the government.
Cross-Solent ferries provide a “lifeline service”
Councillor Lilley and Blake’s motion describes cross-Solent ferries as providing a “lifeline service” which is “essential” to the “economic and social wellbeing” of Isle of Wight residents.
It urges the council to work with the Island’s two MPs and call “urgent meetings” with ferry operators, Red Funnel and Wightlink, to “discuss dissatisfaction” with current services as well as “concerns about reliability” in the coming winter months.
“Entirely private” and “unregulated” Solent ferries “no longer appropriate”
The motion also calls on the government to recognise that “entirely private” and “unregulated” Solent ferries are “no longer appropriate”, especially given government plans for rail and buses.
“Make legislative provision to bring ferries under democratic control in line with its strategic vision on trains and buses, including regulations for particular prices, including options for caps and costs of travel, timetables and service reliability”, the submission adds.
New powers for Local Authorities
The incoming Labour government has planned to give local transport authorities across the UK the power to take control of bus services through franchising or public ownership.
Transport secretary Louise Haigh also has plans to take rail passenger services into public ownership.
Lilley: Many children on this Island that have never crossed the Solent
In an impassioned address, Councillor Lilley said,
“This to me is an issue of total inequality – it’s an inequality issue. It actually infringes Islanders’ human rights.
“We have many children on this Island that have never crossed the Solent – there are children in my ward that live in Ryde and have never crossed the Solent.
“When you ask their families why, they say because we cannot afford the ferry prices – we are in a cost of living crisis.”
Opposition to Solent CO2 pipeline
In his motion on ExxonMobil’s pipeline, Councillor Stuart proposed the council “objects strongly” to the project.
Though the council can object to the pipeline, the UK government will decide whether to grant the American corporation a Development Consent Order which permits construction and maintenance, not the council.
The submission reads,
“The council considers that the pipeline will threaten the UNESCO Island Biosphere status, with short and long-term damage to the Solent, two heritage coastlines, sites of national significance, and sites of particular importance for biodiversity, archaeological and heritage.
“Council further considers that it has not been established that carbon capture technology is either nationally appropriate or necessary, and that the technology is unproven at scale or at cost.”
Stuart: I made sure to research further and talk to experts
Councillor Stuart commented,
“Given the lack of any benefit to the Island are you prepared to see the landscape damaged for this stopgap project that seeks massive sums of public money for a rich American company setting up a new very profitable business?
“With some expertise in this area I made sure to research further and talk to experts and Islanders like you to understand the problems.
“I will oppose this project given its enormous cost to the taxpayer, the uncertainty and cost of technology unproven at scale, the immense lasting damage to the landscape and biodiversity of the Isle of Wight and the risk to us residents of a pipeline rupture and explosion, especially given the low cost options in Exxon’s outline proposals.”
Delaney: We are always looking at how we can improve our performance
Phil Delaney, Wightlink commercial director, said,
“We regularly meet with the Isle of Wight Council, MPs and customers to discuss the frequency and timings of our services.
“Wightlink runs more than 140 sailings a day, including 24/7 on our Fishbourne route, and from 05:00 to 23:00 on the Ryde Pier passenger service.
“In August 2024, we ran 98.7 per cent of our timetabled sailings, with 90.7 per cent of departures sailing within five minutes of the scheduled time.
“We are always looking at how we can improve our performance to meet customer needs and are open to adding extra sailings where there is sufficient customer appetite.”
ExxonMobil: Recognised by the UK Government as essential to reducing emissions
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil has previously said,
“We recognise there are diverse views across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, and we’re eager to hear them through our consultation, which is open until September 30th.
“The pipeline will be buried underground and once it has been installed, we will reinstate the land to its former state where possible.
“Typically, this includes replacing topsoil, restoring access routes and fencing, reinstating drainage, and reseeding and replanting as appropriate.
“Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a proven technology, recognised by the UK Government as essential to reducing emissions while meeting energy needs, and CO2 pipelines have been safely used worldwide for more than fifty years.
“We are committed to protecting the Isle of Wight’s environment and will carefully review any potential impacts on local habitats and wildlife.”
Red Funnel has been approached for comment.
You can watch the Full Council meeting via the council’s YouTube channel below
Article edit
12.45pm 23rd Sep 2024 – PD comment and Exxon comment added
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
