It’s come to light, thanks to a Freedom of Information request, that in March 2015, MP Andrew Turner requested the support of the government to “establish the task force to transfer the Island Line to an Island-owned community enterprise partnership”.
What’s notable (see the letter) is that Mr Turner wasn’t asking the taskforce to examine all possible options, but just one, specifically to
” … transfer Island Line to an Island-owned community enterprise partnership.”
Some think MP is contradicting himself
KILF supporters say this appears to contradict the position Andrew Turner has taken recently when challenged on his commitment to keeping Island Line within the South Western Franchise.
In his 16th September press release, Andrew Turner said,
“I have not said whether the future of Island Line should be inside or outside a wider franchise.”
A micro-franchise floated
OnTheWight put the question of the potential contradiction to Mr Turner.
He replied,
“I’m not sure why you think this is contradictory. A community owned enterprise could be either outside or inside the franchise, for example it could be a micro-franchise, under the umbrella of a wider franchise.”
As far as we know this is the first time that the term ‘micro-franchises’ has been introduced in the Islandline discussions so far.
Turner: “A sustainable business model”
As was highlighted in the DfT press release, Mr Turner stressed to OnTheWight today (Wednesday) that Island Line must be sustainable.
He went on to say,
“I believe that the future of Island Line lies in finding a sustainable business model which will allow innovation, modernisation and greater efficiency. The Island has not been well served by the current arrangements and we need to get on and find the best way forward.
“I have always appreciated that the change to a new model will need support from the DfT and Network Rail, and the Rail Minister has made it clear that such support is available, and also that during the transition period Island Line will remain in the wider franchise.”
All options should be considered
He finished by saying,
“The Council voted to set up a taskforce (although it may be called by another name) to look at the Island’s transport infrastructure, which should include expert advice to test out the various models for Island Line. I believe that all options should be considered including a light rail or tram system, which in time may be capable of expansion to other parts of the Island.
“By the way, this thinking is not new – there were two important reports in the early 2000s. The Gibb Report and the Jacobs report looked at these issues in some detail and in a positive manner and with sensible conclusions. More than a decade later nothing has changed other than the infrastructure of Island Line has been allowed to deteriorate further and costs increase.
“This week the Chancellor has announced major opportunities for investment in the nation’s infrastructure and the Rail Minister has signalled a clear way forward for Island Line. We should stop arguing and get on with putting in place the technical and professional work needed to find the best options to secure the future Island Line.”
Campaign group write to minister
The letter has come to light after Chris Quirk from the Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) campaign group wrote to Claire Perry, Undersecretary of State at Department of Transport, about the future of Island Line Trains and the press release issued by the Department for Transport last month.
MP on his own
In August, the MP was left standing alone on his idea of a CIC rail project after Conservative councillors, including the group leader and the Chairman of the Island Conservatives, voted in favour of keeping the rail line within the franchise.
Indeed, in July the leader of the Isle of Wight Council said he believed the community model to be unworkable.
Exiting franchise brings disadvantage
It’s important to note that if the train line is removed from the franchise (as Mr Turner was suggesting in his March letter), so with it goes all the legal service obligations.
Andrew Turner’s letter to Claire Perry 26th March 2015
Image: rosengrant under CC BY 2.0
