Ed Blake, the new Isle of Wight councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence, took the opportunity at his first Full Council meeting to ask a question about support for the town.
Following the Bonchurch Landslide, access in and out of the town has been challenging given the hard road closure of Leeson Road, as well as Newport Road closing for sewer damage repairs.
Leeson Road still remains closed as experts monitor the landslide movement. A report is expected at the end of the month and a public meeting follows in February.
Blake: What measures are being considered to project jobs
Councillor Blake asked the leader, Phil Jordan, what emergency measures the Isle of Wight council (IWC) would be putting in place to protect businesses and jobs in the town.
He suggested free parking in all Isle of Wight council car parks as an immediate response.
Councillor Jordan pointed out that in terms of parking, Ventnor Town Council (VTC) own four car parks and as far as he understood, they haven’t increased the charges, £1 an hour, for some eight years. Checking the VTC website, parking charges have increased to £1.30 per hour.
A scheme needs to be considered
Councillor Jordan suggested that if IWC were to make their car parks free, it could impact on the income for VTC.
However, he also added that it was within VTC’s power to offer free parking in their four car parks if they wanted (Dudley Road, Market Street, Pound Lane and Shore Road in Bonchurch).
Jordan: Free parking not being considered
Councillor Jordan advised that IWC were not looking at providing free parking in Ventnor, reminding members of the one hour free parking that they offered in December and that he hoped it was helpful to residents and businesses in the run up to Christmas.
The leader also pointed to the one hour free parking scheme that’s offered in Newport and how that is subsidised by the Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.
He said the IWC were open to discussions with VTC on a scheme such as that if they are interested.
Article edit
10.05am 18th Jan 2024 – Ventnor West corrected to Ventnor
