Some Isle of Wight councillors are now among those calling for a rethink of the controversial Ryde Esplanade Interchange plans.
Joining businesses along the seafront, Conservative councillors Warren Drew, for Ryde South East, and Michael Beston, the shadow cabinet member for transport, are asking for changes to be made to the highway’s aspect of the £10m plans.
Improvement to Island Gateway
As part of the ‘Transforming Cities’ government funding Ryde Esplanade is set to see a number of changes to improve connectivity with the mainland and make it a safer, better area for pedestrians.
Plans include reworking the bus station, the rejuvenation of the Tramway Pier to form a dedicated pedestrian and cycleway and yet-to-be-announced changes to the train station.
Some areas of the plans however have drawn criticism: the demolition of a cafe and public toilets to provide a drop-off and pick-up point at the pier entrance and the removal of parking spaces to move the taxi rank.
Asking for three changes
Cllrs Drew and Beston say the ruling Alliance Group’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Phil Jordan has said it is too late to change areas of the plan, but they disagree and are asking for three changes — to stop the ‘unnecessary’ lights at the bottom of George Street, the ‘destruction’ of Western Gardens, the cafe and toilet and the relocation of the taxi rank.
Cllr Drew said,
“We support the redevelopment … some aspects of the proposals are positive but important changes to the road layout are needed.
“The public has been told the plans will provide more green community space. This comprises four traffic islands surrounded by roads on all sides.
“I’ve never planned to picnic on Tesco roundabout, and much the same will be true of Ryde Esplanade if these proposals go ahead without change.
“The interchange footprint is already big enough to accommodate buses, taxis and vehicle access to the pier, which could be better reconfigured.
“I am appealing to Cllr Jordan, as a fellow Ryde councillor, to think again and talk to businesses and local residents.”
Plans should be substantively re-examined
Cllr Drew said it is not a done deal and the plans should be substantively re-examined as the road layout is based on plans that are over ten years old.
A cabinet meeting next week will see the Alliance Group either approve the implementation of the scheme or not and Cllr Drew is urging fellow Ryde councillors to speak out in favour of ‘much-needed changes’ to the proposal, regardless of political allegiances.
Beston: Not looking to detract from overall intentions of scheme
Cllr Beston said,
“I am urging the Alliance Group to engage with Conservative colleagues who are not looking to detract from the overall intentions of the scheme or increase the allocated budget.
“This is about seeking changes to the road layout to address legitimate concerns of local businesses.”
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
