Controversial plans to change Ryde Esplanade were given the go-ahead at last night’s (Monday) Isle of Wight Council meeting of leading cabinet members.
Work on the Interchange is due to begin at the start of next year and will see Ryde Bus Station remodelled, a new access road to the pier and a signalled crossing installed at the bottom of George Street.
Following a full review of responses to the council’s consultation, 20 changes were made to the highways schemes, which included losing some parking, installing traffic-calming features and retention of the much-loved Tulip Tree.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Cllr Phil Jordan, member for infrastructure and transport, said:
“We said when we did the consultation we would listen to people and we have been able to do that within the funding parameters.
“The list is evident of the changes to the benefit of the community, asked for by people responding to the consultation.”
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
“This is a new chapter in the transport area of Ryde and as an administration, we welcome the new facilities for walking and cycling and improved buses.
“This has to be good for the whole Island and transport.”
Despite the changes, objectors are still unhappy with the plans.
They say ‘all the major failings, including those of safety, congestion and discrimination’ remain’.
One of the major points of contention is the demolition of the public toilets and cafe at Western Gardens.
The Isle of Wight Council says this has partially been done to allow visitors from the mainland a view of the town up Union Street, which is currently blocked by the building.
They want pedestrians to head in that direction.
Although plans have not yet been unveiled by South Western Railway for the revamp of the train station, Cllr Jordan said toilets and a cafe provision will be included.
Speaking at an earlier corporate scrutiny committee, Cllr Michael Lilley, Ryde Mayor, said the money saved by Ryde Town Council on the Western Gardens public toilets, could lead to new facilities in the centre of the town.
The £10 million Ryde Gateway scheme is being funded by the Department for Transport to improve connectivity and will also see work done by Wightlink to the former tramway pier and South Western Railway to the Esplanade train station.
The project is now said to be on a ‘very tight timeframe’, with all aspects of the connectivity scheme needed to be completed by April 2023.
Final designs will be approved by the director of neighbourhoods.
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