The completion of improvement works at Ryde interchange has been hailed by the council's leader as "a landmark" day in the town's history.
The multi-million pound project has sought to provide better travel connectivity as well as much-improved public space for residents and visitors.
The transport hub on Ryde Esplanade has been reorganised to reduce the dominance of vehicles, provide a pedestrian prioritised area and open up views of the historic pier.
The main improvements include:
- Remodelling and refurbishment of the Esplanade bus interchange to create a better environment for bus users/pedestrians and making it easier and safer for buses to manoeuvre and to exit directly via George Street.
- Reinstatement of the pier tramway to provide a new separate 'boardwalk' facility for pedestrians.
- Refurbishment of the station buildings including new, fully accessible toilets, a new tower feature at the main entrance, remodelled/expanded concessions and access to the boardwalk.
- Enhanced planting.
The works were funded by a government grant awarded to the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, after a successful joint bid to the Transforming Cities Fund, to improve local sustainable transport infrastructure and connectivity.
With the support of the National Railway Heritage Trust the scope of the scheme was expanded to include restoration of the historic waiting room and exposure of the original columns of the old tramway platform canopy which can now be seen on the concourse connection to the pedestrian pier.
Councillor Phil Jordan, council leader and Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
"The completion of these improvement works is a landmark day for Ryde. It has taken some time but has been worth the wait!
"We know this new transport interchange space will provide an attractive welcome to residents and visitors alike, both to Ryde and the wider Island community taking full advantage of the much-improved public realm space and the upgraded connections for transport opportunities.
"Following this summer season, we also plan to replace the existing bus shelters with a more robust design featuring pitched, rather than barrelled, roofs and lower traditional seat heights.
"And one final, fantastic upgrade, the new shelters will then be fitted with real-time information for bus services giving the much needed and requested information that is fit for the 21st century."
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