20 Changes Proposed For Controversial Ryde Interchange Plans Expected To Be Approved

The Isle of Wight Council's set to approve multi-million pound Ryde Interchange plans - but with 20 changes to the controversial scheme.

The changes, which have been made following feedback from the local community over the summer - will go before Cabinet next week.

The project aims to increase connectivity for travellers at the gateway to Ryde while at the same time making the area around the interchange, pier and Esplanade a better and safer place for people to visit and enjoy as a destination in itself.

A six-week consultation sought views from the community on key elements which will define the look and feel of the area, including landscaping and planting, bus carriageway surfacing, kerbing, pedestrian paving and seating.

More than 300 people completed the detailed online survey with many more submitting basic paper responses. The results of the consultation are contained in a new report published today (Wednesday) ahead of the Cabinet meeting on 14 October. 

As well as providing a detailed summary of the responses, the paper includes a list of proposed modifications to the plans — based on public feedback — which councillors are being asked to approve.

These include:

• retaining public toilet provision at Western Gardens until the new fully accessible facilities are opened as part of the railway station refurbishment;
• more on-street parking to support local sea front businesses;
• extended cycleways and comprehensive cycle/scooter parking;
• contemporary stone planters with the existing stone walls fronting the Rose Garden;
• an overall 'seaside' planting scheme;
• accessibility improvements, traffic calming features and less clutter;
• limestone style paving for pedestrian areas in keeping with other parts of Ryde and conservation type kerbs and traditional style black street furniture;
• the retention of the 'tulip tree' and an expanded public space for busking or alfresco dining;
• bus shelters incorporating real time bus information and heritage style benches and bins.

The plans will see the bus terminal re-modelled to provide a safer environment for bus users/pedestrians with more public amenity space, increased planting and less hard surfacing for vehicles.

A new road layout will allow buses which already route via George Street to emerge from the bus terminal and head straight up George Street, as opposed to the current arrangement where they have to use the roundabout at the end of the Esplanade. 

As well as providing better connectivity and promoting active travel, the project also aims to make the interchange a more pleasant and safer public space — respecting the local environment and protective designations. 

There will be enhanced signal controlled crossing points which give pedestrians priority and the area will be opened up to improve views of the historic pier, which people will still be able to walk and cycle along.

Other key elements of the wider project are being delivered by Wightlink — by transforming the disused tramway into a pedestrian and cycling boardwalk up the pier — and South Western Railway, which will refurbish the terminal building to create through access to the reinstated pier, new fully accessible toilets and expanded concessions.

Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:

"The public consultation has played a big role in shaping our plans for Ryde Interchange and again I would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved.

"We listened very carefully to what our residents and businesses had to say and we have made changes wherever possible. However, with some elements of the project tied to conditions and aspirations of the grant money, some competing requests and within practical limitations, we were not able to please everybody on everything we need to do.

"I know that the vast majority of people are behind the project which I firmly believe will be a credit to Ryde. This is a major step towards our ambitions of regenerating the wider area by creating a fully integrated, user-friendly gateway transport hub as a cleaner and greener gateway for the Island and a vital part of the upcoming National Bus Strategy and Local Transport Plan."

Subject to Cabinet approval, work is due to start in early 2022 and take around 12 months to complete.

To read the report in full, visit: https://iow.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s4979/Report.pdf