Island Transport Plan Moves Into 15-Year Delivery Phase After Approval

The Isle of Wight Council’s Island Transport Plan (ITP) is now moving into a 15-year delivery phase after being approved by councillors last month, following a public consultation held in Autumn 2025.

The 130-page plan sets out how transport on the Island will be improved to support economic growth, boost regeneration and job creation, and strengthen links that underpin the tourism economy.

Affordability is a key theme, with the consultation highlighting cost as the biggest barrier to cross-Solent travel.

More than 8 in 10 respondents said cheaper ticket options are needed.

The consultation also found strong public support for:

• Better footpaths and cycle routes

• Improved connections between buses, trains and ferries

• Protecting the Island’s natural and historic environment

• Using developer funding to support sustainable travel

• Encouraging visitors to travel without a car

There were also multiple suggestions to expand the Island’s railway network.

The plan is built around four main objectives:

• Cutting transport emissions to net zero and improving climate resilience

• Making it easier to travel sustainably and efficiently

• Creating an accessible and affordable network for all

• Improving safety and supporting healthier communities

To achieve this, the Council has identified six key areas of focus.

On accessibility and safety, there are commitments to improve walking and cycling routes, expand e-bike and e-scooter schemes, and make public transport easier to use, particularly in rural areas.

Public transport will also be a major focus, with investment already secured to introduce zero-emission buses in partnership with Southern Vectis, alongside improvements to bus shelters and ticketing integration.

Work will also continue on exploring rail improvements.

Reducing congestion is another priority, with plans for better traffic management, road design, and real-time monitoring.

The number of electric vehicle charging points is also expected to increase significantly.

Planning policies will aim to bring homes, jobs and services closer together, making walking, cycling and public transport more practical options, while supporting regeneration in towns and villages.

Sustainable tourism is a key part of the strategy, with proposals including better integrated travel and event tickets, improved options for walking and cycling holidays, and the potential for an electric vehicle car club for visitors.

The plan also highlights the role of technology, encouraging remote working and digital services to reduce the need to travel.

More than 100 individual policies are included, supported by a roadmap of short, medium and long-term actions running through to 2040.

In the short term, the focus will be on encouraging walking and cycling, improving public transport, and increasing the use of electric vehicles.

Longer-term plans include further reducing emissions and supporting sustainable travel across the Island.

Council leader Phil Jordan says the plan recognises both the challenges and opportunities of Island life, adding that improving transport links will help support businesses, reduce isolation, and improve quality of life.

He says feedback from the public has helped shape a plan that focuses on what matters most to residents, while supporting the economy and protecting the environment.

The consultation received hundreds of responses, with additional feedback gathered at a series of public events.

It also highlighted that around one in five Island households do not have access to a car, while a higher-than-average number of residents walk to work.