The much hoped-for return of the Dotto Train along Ryde seafront has been ruled out, as budget pressures hit the town.
The trains last ran over ten years ago in the summer seasons in Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin but were axed by the Isle of Wight Council as the ageing vehicles meant increased maintenance costs.
The tourist attraction had been rumoured to return to Ryde this year, but plans have been put on hold as inflationary pressures hit Ryde Town Council’s (RTC) budget.
Speaking at the town council’s meeting yesterday (Monday), Cllr Phil Jordan said he was sorry to say the Dotto Train was not being considered any more, along with other projects, as the council looked to stretch its budget further.
RTC agreed to put up its council tax precept by 9.4 per cent — which will see a Band C resident in the town pay £12.70 more a year.
Cllr Jordan said the budget will continue to invest in the community while reducing spending where possible, instead of driving cuts and trying not to go backwards in terms of services.
He said the overarching threat of inflation threatens the continuation of council services in their current forms so they were maintaining services.
The town council had agreed in October to acquire a Dotto Train for Ryde only if a financially sound business case was presented.
Cllr Jordan said the council was putting on services the Isle of Wight Council hadn’t as all the add-ons were drained from the community by Government austerity.
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