This in from Thomas Cowley on behalf of the Solent Tunnel Pro-Link Campaign Association. Ed
Pro-Link Campaign Association is pleased to announce that after three months of work, the 1998 Fixed Link Feasibility Study is now available copyright-free for anyone to view or download.
The letter disclaiming their interest can be viewed below.
Partly funded by public money
The study was completed by a private company, which was partly funded by public money: Wight Training and Enterprise Limited.
When this company was dissolved in 2005, the rights to the study transferred to The Crown. When this happens, the Crown is then entitled to either charge to release the copyright of items such as this, or disclaim their interest, making the document copyright-free and available for public release.
Study cost £100,000
In 1998, this comprehensive preliminary study cost £100,000. Wight Training and Enterprise never made it available to the public, but thankfully a copy was entered into the IW Council Record Office.
17 years later, after reviewing the document, Pro-Link has now managed to secure this release, so the carefully researched information can contribute to a better-informed, objective debate, to understand the opportunities and complex implications of a fixed link across the Solent.
New report must be commissioned
Naturally, the data in this report is now 17 years old, so doesn’t model the impact of the 20% above inflation prices rises in ferry fares since 1998, or changes in construction costs, techniques and the impact of advances in technology.
A new report must be commissioned to consider the current circumstances, which is the next step in unlocking the benefits of a fixed link across the Solent for residents, businesses and visitors to the Isle of Wight.
The study is NOW available to review in its entirety below or on solentfixedlink.net
For more information and to follow the campaign see the Pro-Link Campaign Association Website, join the Facebook Group and follow on Twitter.
1998 Isle of Wight Fixed Link Feasibility Study
It’s also downloadable.
Letter from Treasury Solicitor giving all clear to copy 1998 Fixed Link Feasibility Study
Updated 15:41 Added 1998 document
Image: Robert Couse-Baker under a CC BY 2.0 license
