RYDE’S town centre managers have spearheaded a community project to smarten up the town’s bus and rail interchange.
Local businesses, a group of pupils from Ryde High School, Wightlink, Hovertravel, Ryde Town Management Committee, Help the Aged and Island Line along with the Isle of Wight Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Partnership are helping to support the project to revitalise the interchange which the Isle of Wight Council is planning to rebuild as soon as possible.
Part of the project will involve a local artist and members of the community coming together to create a mural based on the Seven Wonders of the Isle of Wight and linked with the Travelsafe scheme which is co-ordinated through the Community Rail Partnership.
Offenders doing the Community Service will also be taking part in the work to create the mural by painting walls white in preparation for the artwork as part of the restorative justice scheme.
As well as the work on the mural, local businessman Wayne Whittle has reoccupied the kiosk at the Esplanade and opened a new shop selling souvenirs – in addition to re-opening the Delicious Cafe in Western Gardens. He has also repainted the toilet block.
Materials for the mural are being supplied by Moreys from their branch at St John’s in Ryde which now has a paint mixing facility.
The project is also being supported by Southern Vectis who are helping to ensure that Newport based people can get to Ryde to help with the scheme and Ryde Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, by ensuring that all participants are supplied with refreshments.
The mural is due to be finished at the end of May this year.
Ryde Town Centre manager Katharine Arblaster who led the scheme said: “This is a real project that has happened due to local businesses and the community coming together to smarten up a gateway area of the town.
“It has been a really positive experience seeing people getting together to make this happen and to concentrate on the positive things that can be achieved if we have a common goal in mind.”
Councillor Tim Hunter Henderson Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for environment and transport said: “This is an excellent project.
“Ryde Interchange is an important gateway to the Isle of Wight and I am grateful to the Town Centre managers and everyone else involved in the scheme for their hard work.”
