After success with the £5.8m East Cowes Marine Hub bid, the Isle of Wight Council is eligible to bid in the second round of the government’s levelling-up fund.
Plans are being prepared to enhance travel between Ryde and Yarmouth by improving cycling, walking, and bus routes while also making accessibility improvements.
This could include over 20km of new and enhanced cycling and walking routes between Newport and Yarmouth, through construction of the long-planned Gunville and West Wight Greenways.
Complete the survey
The success of this bid will be bolstered by community support, so the council has launched an online survey to allow anyone who already uses the route between Yarmouth and Ryde to contribute to the bid.
Paper copies are also available in libraries and at County Hall or by emailing [email protected] requesting a copy and giving your postal address.
The plans
The proposal is likely to include:
- New cycling and walking infrastructure between Ryde and Yarmouth including better connection from Newport town centre to Gunville, and the long-planned West Wight Greenway
- Improvements to connectivity and facilities at transport interchanges along the route
- Improvements to highways and public areas in Newport, including the construction of the Taylor Road link (near to Argos), which will unlock the route for the Island Green Link through the town.
Jones-Evans: This is bigger and more wide-ranging than East Cowes bid
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said,
“We’ve got a few weeks to finalise our bid and we want to include comments from the people who are already making these journeys.
“We have already done plenty of work on these projects, including the West Wight and Gunville greenways, with positive involvement and support from local landowners, and user groups such as Cyclewight and the IW Ramblers.
“I am delighted that we might now be able to put these ambitious plans into practice; not just for the West Wight but extending the route towards Ryde, creating a natural corridor for visitors and locals alike to travel safely and sustainably through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain.
“The new greenway will mean that people will depend less on private cars, and will improve health, wellbeing and air quality.
“The route will also contribute to the council’s net zero 2040 target, and provide business growth opportunities, just as the Newport-Sandown route has done.
“I was so proud when we successfully won the levelling-up money for East Cowes, and I’m excited to see the work now actually starting in that town.
“This new transport bid is bigger and more wide-ranging, and will provide benefits across a much larger area of the Island.
“So if you ever travel on the Island, fill in our survey and get your views into our bid!”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Visit Isle of Wight
