County Hall 'Critical' Meeting To Take Place In Newport Next Week

Two of the Isle of Wight’s most critical issues are set to be discussed at County Hall in Newport next week.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday will discuss the Island’s crisis-hit ferry services and ExxonMobil’s proposal for a Solent CO2 Pipeline.

Leader of the Isle of Wight Council Phil Jordan will address the meeting on his leader’s update report, a document which gives special emphasis to ferries and the pipeline.

It reads:

“I have spoken with both of the Island’s MPs and we have discussed the current situation with significant instances of cancellations, revised timetables and associated delays.

“We have agreed that this is an issue that requires us to work together to raise this issue with government as we want to ensure that Island residents and our local economy are not unfairly impacted by issues with ferry operations.

“They are much more than simply lifeline services. I have written to both of the Island’s MPs to ask if they would support a request to government (from the council and the MPs) for a review of ferry services, with consideration of issues such as the establishment of regulatory oversight, regularity of services, compensation schemes for passengers affected by cancellations, sanctions for operators when services are disrupted, potential for price caps on essential journeys (such as those for healthcare), affordability of travel for Island residents and more multi-link ticketing options and electronic through-ticketing to improve convenience of services.”

In reference to the pipeline, the report reads:

“My cabinet colleagues and I are aware of the considerable concern arising from the recent informal consultation.

“There is little detail available to answer the many questions that we are aware that local residents have.

“The cabinet are concerned about the potential impact of this proposal, particularly in relation to environmental and economic impacts.

“We have a clear view that it is not enough for the project to address wider sustainability issues without providing direct benefit to the Island and its communities and there is not yet sufficient evidence to demonstrate that these issues have been fully considered.”

Three other councillors have tabled motions relating to the two issues.

Councillor Michael Lilley, who represents Ryde Appley and Elmfield, submitted a motion calling for “urgent meetings” with ferry operators Red Funnel and Wightlink to discuss Islanders’ discontent and concerns about current services as well as their reliability going forward into the winter months.

Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet Councillor Nick Stuart put forward a motion which urges the council to strongly object to ExxonMobil’s intention to seek permission for the construction of its pipeline as a national infrastructure project.

Councillor for Ventnor and St Lawrence, Ed Blake, has a motion which calls on the council to reach out to the UK Government over “more expensive”, “less regular” and “less reliable” ferries.

Its appeals to the Government to “acknowledge” that “entirely privatised”, “unregulated” Solent ferry services are “no longer appropriate” and to bring ferries under “democratic control”.