‘I cannot imagine anything worse for Ryde than refusing this money.’
Isle of Wight councillors have hit back at those suggesting it refuse the money from the government for works to Ryde Interchange to improve connectivity with the mainland.
The Island is set to receive £10 million from the Department of Transport as part of its Transforming Cities Fund, in partnership with Portsmouth City and Hampshire County councils as well as transport providers and partners Wightlink, South Western Railway and Southern Vectis.
No cost to council
The work is almost entirely funded by the government grant with complementary contributions from the private partners relating to projects that are supporting the Interchange scheme.
Although the figures are subject to change, the transformation of Ryde Tramway Pier into a pedestrian and cycleway is estimated to cost £3.2 million; the bus interchange, cycle route and highways work £5.1 million; and train station improvements £1.7 million.
Cabinet meeting
With the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet set to approve the scheme tonight (Thursday), the Corporate Scrutiny Committee asked what would happen if the council were to call off the scheme and give back the money, as some opponents have suggested.
Chair of the committee, Cllr Steve Hastings, said he could not imagine anybody would turn it down while Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said it would be a damaging move for the Island.
He said it was not just about the Island but about the wider £56m projects across The Solent and suggested it would make it very difficult for the other councils to continue with their projects.
Jordan: Would be third grant returned for work on Ryde seafront
Cllr Jordan said,
“If we were to refuse the grant funding after we applied for it, this would be the third time we gave the grant back for work on Ryde seafront … If we were to do that the reputational damage on this council would be enormous.”
Cllr Jordan also said it may other impact funding applications currently with the Department for Transport.
Metcalfe: Will damage further conversations we want to have
The council’s chief executive, John Metcalfe, says governments have made it clear they want to do business with councils who deliver.
He said,
“If at any time we start to get cold feet and are a council who cannot deliver the aspirations we said we were going to do then it will damage any further conversations we want to have or hope to have with them.”
Medland: Opportunity to bring Ryde up to date needs to be embraced
Cllr John Medland said it was unfortunate the current consultation has not been done well, which was clear from public feedback, but the opportunity to bring Ryde up to date needed to be embraced.
Brodie: Have to take this money even though the consultation has entirely failed
Cllr Geoff Brodie said,
“If we reject this money this time we will look absolutely ridiculous.
“We have to take this money even though the consultation has entirely failed, failed the people of Ryde and this Island but we have got we have got here, we need to move forward.
“We may not like what we end up with but that is what we have got.”
Concerns about a lack of consultation with stakeholders before the final designs were tabled have been raised by multiple parties.
Lilley: A ‘gun to our heads’
Cllr Michael Lilley, also a member of Ryde Town Council, said not enough time to consult on the plans was like a ‘gun to their head’ and proposed the scrutiny committee recommend more effective engagement between those behind the scheme and all stakeholders.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
