The PRO-LINK Campaign for an Isle of Wight Fixed Link.
This campaign aims to achieve fast, affordable, 24-hour cross Solent FREEDOM of movement – continuing since 2014. It has been exhaustive, battling against two unregulated and influential ferry companies that control many regional institutions, councils, businesses and politicians. At times, it feels like taking on the mafia.
The Campaign aims are for three fixed links:
1- Solent Freedom Tunnel studies to be undertaken and if concluded viable and positive – constructed. The Solent Tunnel project is believed to be profitable for investors and local government – more than just financially self sustaining through £250million pa toll structures plus regional economic uplift, providing unit capacity for the future.
2- A Medina Crossing vehicle / cycle bridge or barrage between Fairlee Road and Stag Lane to relieve congestion in Newport and speed up East – West island connectivity. The Medina Crossing is believed to be financially self sustaining through tolls and localised economic uplift.
3- An Immersed tube pedestrian subwayunder the Medina River at Cowes, replacing the chain ferry to offer 24-hour, unstaffed reliable connectivity.
Pro- Link believes the island must act now to prepare for the future. All three projects are believed to have majority public support – Solent Fixed Link support is confirmed by all independent polls and surveys since 2015.
Who has spearheaded the campaign?
Pro-Link campaign chair – Carl Feeney entered the 2019 General Election purely to promote the Solent Freedom Tunnel solution. He gained the highest ‘Independent vote’ from three. The election was a UK landslide victory for the well funded Conservative Party, centred primarily on Brexit. click video
1. Is the Tunnel viable?
Absolutely… yes. However, Red Funnel and Wightlink are desperate to stop the viability study. Their share prices will collapse on the go-ahead.
Take a look at what other islands are doing to improve their economies and lifestyles. Click photo to watch the short video:
Check out the direct viability comparison between the direct Faroe islands and the Isle of Wight … HERE
The ferry companies and MP are obstructing the fixed link study so we’re having to crowd-fund for it. If you’d like to help, please go straight to the web page that explains how to do that…HERE
As at December 2021, £29,000 has been raised. A total of £120,000 is required to start the study.
2. Why is an Isle of Wight Fixed Link required?
Red Funnel confirm they will have no more capacity by 2023… click photo or here to watch this 2015 Red Funnel video. Since this video was made, the ‘Red Kestrel’ vessel has been added into the route which transports just 12 HGV’s and 12 passengers (drivers). The route is now exhausted of capacity, with no more options.
The reasons are becoming more profound as the islands population rises…
Twenty or so years ago, it was possible to drive to an island ferry port and board with no booking, while paying a pre-advertised fare that was considered reasonable.
Move on to the present day:
Ferry crossing fares have increased… becoming more demand driven. Popular days and times in the summer are often unavailable, if not booked weeks ahead. This often provides an inconvenieunaffordable barrier for those on an average island wage to venture off the island. £200 return crossing for a car is not uncommon during the summer months… sometimes even £250. Standard return fares top £80 – £100. Island tourism has been greatly affected by the advent of Booking .com and other web based accommodation providers. Once booked, prospective hotel or guest house customers then try to book a crossing to the island by ferry, only to find there is no availability or the price is prohibitive. This is creating havoc not only with tourism, but also affects business and personal lives.
customers penalised with a higher fare if arriving at the port without pre-booking (emergencies, etc)
customers forced to vacate the vehicle during the ferry crossing even after medical surgery, sometimes unable to find a seat in a lounge. During the 2020/21 pandemic, this was proven disastrous for virus transmissions, with island infections the highest in the UK.
By 2030 in just 10 years time, it is proposed that circa 10,000 extra island dwellings will have been built – another 20,000 residents – perhaps 10,000 – 15,000 more island vehicles. Extra deliveries of food and other supplies will have to come across across the Solent. This will put incredible pressure on an already failing island infrastructure and most importantly, already failing cross Solent Transport modes with no more available capacity. The foreseen problems will be:
Drastic reductions in HEALTHCAREfacilities on the island
Reduced ability to reach mainland healthcare
Higher demand will raise ferry crossing fares further
Island traffic gridlock due to extra island vehicles with owners unable to afford fares to take the vehicles away.
A continuing spiral of low wage / high unemployment socio-economic deprivation… while the surrounding South East mainland will enjoy vibrant success, social mobility and investment.
Future technology transportation – The ferries versus the tunnel:
Tesla and other technology companies producing electric vehicles are creating a world with zero emission, autonomous vehicles which will be commonplace by 2030-2035. The IOW council desperately needs to assess the ramifications of ignoring the future transport systems evolution. As sure as petrol driven vehicles replaced the horse and cart 100 years ago, electric self driving vehicles will replace fossil fuel driver driven vehicles. Electric vehicles will become more affordable as mass productivity ensues, similar to computers and mobile phones have. Future technology will have us all being driven by an invisible chauffeur, safer and more reliably. It will be possible to input your destination, fall asleep and wake up by announcement once arrived. Added to this radical step-change in transportation will be the hiring out as taxis of privately owned electric vehicles. It is expected that ‘APP’ technology will allow the vehicle to be hailed by customers as a taxi when the owner isn’t requiring it – for instance while sleeping or at work. The owner will designate the times the vehicle is available for taxi usage, so earning an income from the vehicle. Carpool options will add value for the customer, while recordable cctv inside the vehicle will protect it. – The system will be incredibly cheap to use… far cheaper than trains or buses and of course it will be a door to door service. Many people who would today own a vehicle won’t neccessarily in the future. Less vehicles will be owned by the seldom user, as it will be cheaper to hail an immediately available electric autonomous taxi. Parking problems will be a thing of the past.
So how does this inevitable new technology align itself with cross Solent transport ferry transport, when compared to a tunnel?
Autonomous electric vehicles will not be able to book a ferry crossing. However, using a tunnel, the autonomous vehicle will have 24 hour immediate access, 365 days a year without booking.
There will be a huge problem of waiting for the ferry (especially if delayed) loading, then the journey and then unloading – taking a combined minimum of 1.5 hours. However, using the tunnel, It will be a free flowing momentum based transit taking just 6 minutes under the Solent, and then a further 4 minutes to the M27. The vehicle will be able to return even if empty. If hiring the vehicle as a taxi, the toll will be added to the fare.
The ramifications of the IOW Council and MP not understanding or ignoring how this technology will affect the Isle of Wight’s future, will be disastrous for the Isle of Wight. The island will be even further disadvantaged. To believe that potential tourists, investors and businesses will continue to visit or operate on the island while contending with the logistical problems associated with autonomous vehicles and ferries is folly. There is no alignment.
Versus
The simplicity of a road based tunnel. Airports, education, healthcare, family visits, etc will all be speedily and easily accessible, cheaply and reliably. Perfect alignment with the autonomous personal transport that will be with us in 10-15 years time. The same period of time it will take to get the tunnel agreed and constructed. But we need to start the process now.
With fast, easy and reliable access, the Isle of Wight will have the potential to become the most desirable place in Britain to live, visit and perform business. The Solent Freedom Tunnel will present the foundations for island success to build on, while anticipating future transport technology advancements.
Would you want your vehicle on this ferry or in a clean dry tunnel?ClICK HERE
Below are some articles regarding the consequences of unreliable, slow and unaffordable cross Solent Transport
CAUSED BY ISOLATION
SKYE IS NOW A SUCCESS
FARES ONLY UPWARDS… NEVER DOWN WHEN THEY COULD
25% LOWER AVERAGE IOW WAGE WITH HIGHER TRANSPORT COSTS = DEBT
STRESSFUL AND DANGEROUS TRANSPORT … WITH NO ALTERNATIVE.
The islands isolation costs the weak, sick and frail dearly both financially and logistically when attempting to access healthcare.
3. Is there a Tunnel plan?
Click photo to see the Solent Freedom tunnel plans.
YES. Bridges and sub sea tunnels have been built worldwide, traversing distances far greater than that of the Solent.
Construction techniques have improved drastically over decades with Victorian tunnels and bridges built over a hundred years ago, still operating as good as new now.
Through extensive consultations with the major infrastructure experts, Pro-Link devised a scheme that has been applauded by mainland and island authorities. None has found fault with the design… a design that creates incredible regional social and economic opportunities. The Solent Freedom Tunnel proposed route can be viewed … HERE
Other islands in the world are evolving in the 21st century. CLICK HERE to understand how and why?
4. Has a study been arranged for an IOW Fixed Link?
YES. Global Industry consultants ‘ARUP’ have offered to perform a ‘viability’ study… READ MORE
5. What is obstructing progress?
At present, politicians are:
The MP – Bob Seely, does have ferry company interests, such as a cousin on the board of Red Funnel and his agent professionally lobbying for Wightlink. He has been using his position to produce misleading false information, to help protect both Red Funnel and Wightlink from competition.
All cross Solent operators have for over 100 years immersed themselves into the island’s institutional and political ‘establishment’. They have the power and control to dictate financial and political favour to those who facilitate their best interests … which involves maintaining the status quo without competition.
The MP has systematically attempted to destroy this fixed link campaign … READ MORE
The IOW Chamber of Commerce ( COC ) is heavily controlled by the three cross Solent ferry companies, which in turn affects IOW Council policies… READ MORE
Carl Feeney has been threatened with legal action by Red Funnel after he exposed the company’s planning application deceit…READ MORE
6. Can the ferries be fixed?
Absolutely not. To confirm this, a GOVERNMENT E-PETITION was signed by 17,674 people to ask whether it is possible to regulate the IOW ferry companies specifically. Any talk of regulation has been confirmed as nonsense. However, to boost Red Funnel and Wightlink’s profits further, the companies are seeking to gain British taxpayer subsidies in the guise of lowering crossing prices.
Subsidies are of course not possible at all either…. nor is regulation or nationalisation. The Solent at present has three cross Solent operators… Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel. If the government nationalised, regulated or subsidised one of these operators… the other two would also have to be under exactly the same terms to avoid breaking anti-competition laws.
The subsidy conversation has been continuing with no foundation for decades, presumably in an attempt to stall the only solution possible… a fixed link. Subsidies will line the pockets of the ferry companies further, but create less availability on limited capacity ferries.
The UK government has now unequivocally confirmed that English ferry companies will not be interfered with at any stage by the state.
This is the full petition response from the government:
There are no plans to regulate ferry prices in England. Ferry companies provide diverse services at a range of prices. There is no evidence of market failure to require regulatory intervention.
Ferry companies in the UK operate in a competitive, commercial market, with the operators competing on price, quality, frequency and speed of their services. In locations such as the Isle of Wight there is a provision of frequent crossings, from a selection of locations, and at a range of prices.
At present such provision does not indicate evidence of a market failure or other reasons that may justify government regulatory intervention. As such the Government has no plans to regulate ferry prices. However, in circumstances where a commercially provided ferry link is at risk, Government would consider options to maintain that link as a lifeline service.
UK ships and ports operate on a private basis, without public sector support, so the ferry companies concerned are private sector entities. The cost of a service, its quality, and frequency are therefore a commercial decision for the ferry operator, and for the company concerned to determine the commercial viability of differing service and fare levels in their current operating environment.
The exception to this is Scotland, where the Scottish Government subsidises, and also regulates fares for, a number of “lifeline” ferry services to connect remote and lightly populated locations that would not otherwise be commercially served due to a lack of demand.
The economic impact on the island and passengers using the ferry services has been considered on two occasions. Most recently the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Task Force (TITF) was established in summer 2016 to receive information and make proposals on a wide range issues vital to the Island’s future. As part of this a report was produced –https://www.iow.gov.uk/azservices/documents/1190-TITF-Ferry-Assessment-FINAL.PDFthat assessed whether there is any correlation between economic performance and trends in ferry operations.
It noted that Isle of Wight GVA has been higher, and more consistent than, that of its mainland neighbours and is comparable with wider trends. The report also found that the island economy is changing and economic growth is being achieved with less cross-Solent travel.
The OFT decided not to refer the ferry companies to the then Competition Commission and concluded that there existed some features of the market that prevent, restrict or distort competition “but that there is limited evidence of actual consumer detriment”.
At an individual level, we can understand that the issue of ferry fares may have an influence on people’s travel choices, particularly for those making regular cross-Solent trips, travelling at short notice, or undertaking peak time travel. Evidence cited in the report to TITF noted that, while the ferry is an asset in terms of attracting visitors, a significant proportion of people have a poor opinion of the ferry services’ value for money.
The ferry companies do offer discounted fares for regular and special users, such as season or multibuy, as well as for medical travel, that can improve the value for money for individual customers.
Overall, the two main reports produced on this issue do not indicate that there is a significant evidence of widespread economic or consumer impact. The available evidence at this time does not therefore support the regulation of ferry fares.
Though the OFT did not refer the case to the Competition Commission it said that this should not constrain a future consideration of the market if that became necessary. In the case of a competition issue or market problem today, for example businesses abusing their dominant position, it is now the Competition and Markets Authority who will potentially have an interest.
It is open to anyone to complain to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), citing as much evidence as possible. Whilst the CMA’s predecessors did not find behaviour requiring action, evidence of a material change in recent years could be pertinent. The CMA would then assess the case for further investigation depending on its current priorities and resources. The procedure for making complaints to the CMA can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tell-the-cma-about-a-competition-or-market-problem
Department for Transport.”
7. What is ‘PRO-LINK’?
IOW RADIO FIXED LINK DEBATE … Click photo to listen.Carl Feeney has pushed hard since this programme in November 2014 with ‘Pro-Link’, trying to achieve radical travel improvements on and to the Isle of Wight.
The Pro-Link ‘Association’ was set up by islanders – Carl Feeney (Chair) and friend Kevin Price in 2015.
The team has subsequently evolved and morphed many times over the five years since then. Ultimately, the one constant has been Carl Feeney, who has pushed hard to have the cross Solent situations and solutions taken seriously by the politicians who can enable progress. Pro-Link is also pushing hard for a Medina Crossing and immersed tube subway tunnel under the Medina River where the Chain Ferry is at present.
The Pro-Link Campaign is aimed at achieving a reliable, fast and affordable 24hr, 365 day alternative to the now outdated 19th century sole ferry option . A fixed link tunnel will enable people to make an immediate, reliable and seamless 6 minute vehicular journey from Whippingham IOW to the Daedalus Enterprise Zone at Lee-on-the-Solent… and then 4 more minutes underground to the M27, while avoiding both traffic laden cities of Portsmouth and Southampton. ….. Read More
Establish and expose why IOW institutions, the MP and the IOW Council administrations continually and repeatedly resist standing up to the IOW Ferry Companies… while customers complain and the socio-economic welfare of the Isle of Wight suffers? Pages to explain what is happening are: Ferry Company Control and also the ex MP and the previous IOW Council.The new MP – Bob Seely, while not ever having lived on the island, does have personal interests within the ferry companies himself.
Facilitate the implementation of an independent Fixed Link Tunnel Viability Study. A new company – Able Connections Ltd, is now providing the necessary framework to communicate with the authorities and procure the required viability and feasibility studies. This will establish the best way forward for the island’s cross Solent transport links… the details of the 2016 PRO-LINK plans.
Since 2014, PRO-LINK has developed a line of route for the tunnel scheme that has support from the mainland authorities and the IOW Council officially endorsing support for a feasibility study. Initially though, a ‘viability’ study needs to be performed which will confirm whether the scheme can be paid for by both Tunnel toll income and regional economic benefits providing UKPLC with a higher tax revenue. The scheme is definitely feasible as has been proven many times around the world… so if it is ‘viable’ and the benefits are substantial enough, it can be constructed.
8. What is ‘Able Connections Ltd’?
‘Able Connections Ltd’ was set up as the medium with which to communicate with Hampshire Constituencies and wards. As individuals, Pro-Link is unable to communicate with a constituency or ward that is not in their own area, unless done through a third party Company. Without the Company to communicate through, no presentations to PUSH (Partnership for Urban South Hampshire would have been possible… nor the presentations to Portsmouth, Fareham, Winchester and Southampton Councils… READ MORE
9. Do islanders actually WANT a fixed link?
YES. According to EVERY poll and survey carried out in the last five years, the conclusive majority do want a fixed link… and for many different reasons…READ MORE
10. Do mainlanders want the Solent Freedom Tunnel fixed link scheme?
IOW Council cabinet member for Transport – Ian Ward describes the mainland support for the Solent Freedom Tunnel… WATCH THE VIDEO
Yes… very much. Pro-Link and Able Connections Ltd, has consulted all relevant mainland administrations with regard to the scheme. Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham and Winchester transport departments were consulted. Later, all regional leaders of councils within ‘PUSH’ (Partnership For Urban South Hampshire) were consulted.
The leaders of each regional council including the IOW, listened to the Solent Freedom Tunnel scheme presentation.
The conclusions from each Hampshire region were very positive. The appreciated benefits included the ability to remove island bound/exiting traffic from the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, the opportunity to extend the ‘Eclipse BRT’ (Bus Rapid Transit) system to Lee-on-the -Solent and then on to the Isle of Wight or M27. Also the ability for South Hampshire to gain a subterranean North / South axis dual carriageway which is greatly required. This can only be financially achieved if planned and constructed in conjunction with the cross Solent Freedom Tunnel.
Tim Cooper and Carl Feeney from Able Connections spoke to ‘PUSH’ at Fareham Civic Offices.
A letter I’ve sent to transcom@parliament.uk
Please feel free to use the content only would look better if you add your own feelings too.
Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to bring to your attention the dire situation that the people of the Isle Of Wight are facing.
The island has a population in excess of 140,000 which makes it the largest constituency in the UK!With that in mind then surely we have a certain right to being heard and listened to from Parliament?OUr mp Andrew Turner I feel,is failing to make proper representation to The House about our situation and as to just how bad it is.
Transport infrastructure is being talked about so much these days as a necessity for growth and maintaining services….the island is operating in reverse gear I feel and that surely has to stop!
I was incensed recently when I read of the island of St Helena having huge amounts of money being poured in for an airport that can’t be used.Ridiculous!
The IOW thankfully has a group of people who are trying to get our problems addressed by proposing that the island has a Fixed Link(https://solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk/).
For far too long now the island has effectively been held to ransom by the main two ferry operators Wightlink and Red Funnel,both owned by companies who use the island as a cash cow for their pension portfolios.There’s a moral and ethical aspect to this surely?
What I’m asking for is that the islands predicament would be raised in Parliament in spite of our mp and in spite of our local council who seem to be too afraid to “disturb the waters”!
I have spent over 44 years living on the island and for the sake of the future generations we need some hope and it is an urgent situation.Please consider this issue and I thank you in the hope of being listened to and a positive outcome in the vey near future.
Yours sincerely,
Did you know that if you or a loved one become extremely poorly for example a heart attack, they have to rely on a helicopter to transport them to a catheter lab for life saving treatment?
Now if this helicopter is not available (and most of the time it isn’t) you or your loved one will have to be taken to St Mary’s and kept stable until an ambulance transfer is available to take you/them to the Queen Alexandra in Cosham to have treatment.
Sadly and at no fault to any of the staff but St Mary’s is not equipped to deal with a lot of life threatening conditions.
A fixed link will open up the way for an ambulance to have direct access to the life saving services we deserve.
So I will leave it up to you, is your life or the lives of your loved ones worth the risk?
I have Cystic Fibrosis. I have to go to Southampton every 3 months which costs over £50 each time and I have to take a day off work as it takes so long. If I could use my motorcycle and a tunnel it would only cost petrol and tunnel fee’s. Also I could be back at work in the afternoon with time to spare.
Detractors say if you don’t like it move, so if you have get ill you have to move your entire family????
The only sensible argument against is cost although I could see this being recouped if UK companies were used to build it.
Time to move to the 21st century and stop the retired generation from pulling this island down with them.
My Father is terminally ill on the mainland. I want to spend as much time with him as possible, but the extortionate ferry fares makes this impossible, I just cannot afford it, and the increased fares during high seasons make it all the more impossible to afford travel. The journey time to see him is 3 hours, this could be cut right down with a drive through fixed link tunnel open 365 days a year. What does concern me is the lack of clarification on what it would cost to use a fixed link, I have heard as much as £20 each way which totally makes building it pointless as that is more expensive than some ferry fares.
I am for a fixed link. many of my friends and family are unable to afford to visit during the holidays due to the extortionate prices the ferry companies charge.. if they can charge £34 for a RETURN some days then they shouldn’t be able to get away with charging £180 for a SINGLE during peak season. islanders feel like they are prisoners held to ransom by red funnel and wightlink. Britain has a tunnel to France and it is still an Island and Isle of Wight would still be a island when we have a tunnel to the mainland. jobs are suffering &tourists are in decline. Even one of the main attractions Bestival have moved to the mainland because of declining numbers due to the ferry costs. Not to mention those the poor folk which are forced to fork out hundreds of pounds as they have to commute to the mainland for work because of lack of jobs here. A tunnel will only help the regeneration of this island in all aspects. please wake up people before this island collapses
We need a tunnel desperately
1. Our hospital is on black alert – most operations and procedures are being delegated to the mainland. I had a knee op recently and 7 return trips over paid for by the NHS nothing for my relatives for various checkups. The day of the operarion I was discharged from the hospital at 6pm, got home at 10.30pm because I missed the Wight link ferry by 3 min and I had to pay for my own car cost.
2. The UK is joined to France by a tunnel and yet it remains an island. They have choices to get off – road, ferry, rail, air we have nothing. 125,000 people are being held to ransom by two ferry companies.
There ferries are getting bigger and bigger and we have less and less sailings. 18 years ago you could get off the island every 30 minutes.
3. no jobs – one of the worst black holes in the UK
4. Our children all leave to find work or go to University on the mainland, seldom returning. Cost my two children and their partners £112.00 for one night – foot passengers to see me on my birthday. Christmas well two ferries WHAT AND WE ACCEPT THIS
5. A caravan and car for the May bank holiday was quoted £295.00 return. They are not coming over going into Bournemouth after 20 years of coming to the IOW
6. Our tourism is dying – Bestival being the most recent example.
7. Postage to the island is very selective. Many couriers won’t post here at all. I support local shops but often the items are very very expensive ( Ferry costs) or there is nothing here. A small parcel posted on the mainland can be as cheap at £1.99 tracked, the IOW 3.65 and we only have Royal Mail.
8. There is less and less for our young adults to do. The ice rink has closed, every club has closed – so what is left bars?
9. If you want to see a show on the mainland you have to pay for a nights accommodation, all passenger ferries stop at 11pm RIDICULOUS
10. And to cap it all our house prices are 25% less than the mainland.
To sum up – we need another way to get off the island. We need choices.
The council has an election in May I am going to propose to them that they hold a referendum a the same time to see if the residents on the island want a fixed link
I spotted this news item about the Stubbington bypass which could be used for an entrance in the Browndown area. If you scroll down you will see the route
A tunnel close to the new road could link you up to junction 9 on the M27 with some road modification on the was there. In fact they are doing that now on the A27 at Titchfield
For the future of the Isle of Wight and the residents and all of the young people who live here we must have change eg: a fixed link to the mainland and not be held to ransom by the ferry companies and their extortionate prices, IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.!!!
I am for a fixed link as apart from the usual moans about the ferries and my family living on the mainland, there is the threat of the government closing the prisons on the island. If this happens then the economy on the island would plummet. If there was a tunnel it would give easy access for those made redundant to get another job or travel to another prison on transfer. It would also help with the islands economy.
I often feel like a prisoner, held to ransom by two ferry companies from a financial and freedom of travel perspective. If you need to go to the mainland (An island incidently) not only is it extremely expensive you are also restricted by their timetable, this is the 21st century people should be able to travel at will. Many companies won’t deliver to the island so even ordering furnishings etc are restricted. The island hospital is failing and the economy of the island is dying in front of us. HELP!! We need the fixed link the negatives of not solving the island’s issues will be the downfall of many!!
Since my original post back in November,the islands situation has taken a further backward step with our local hospital being taken into “special measures”.
This epitomises so much as to the general deterioration that is happening on the island and I’m convinced more than ever that THE ONE THING THAT CAN REVERSE THIS WOULD BE A FIXED LINK(TUNNEL).
To oppose this with little reason is to further the cause of “let’s do nothing and see what happens”.
There is no room for fence sitters or apathy.
A tunnel is getting desperate our hospital is not able to service much any longer. Costing the NHS a fortune to send us over to see specialists.
Our families are paying fortunes to visit and visa versa.
No jobs..
No entertainment for teenagers
Ferries sailing lessons and less frequently.
The list is enormous.
The Island desperately needs a fixed link. The ferry companies have no right to charge excessive prices during the holiday periods. They are as bad as airlines. It costs no more for the ferry to go in August than December. We need to stop Red Funnel and Wightlink cashing in. Somebody is getting rich from this. The employment situation on the Island is dire. The Isle of Skye got a bridge a long time ago. Get on with it. The Islanders deserve an improved standard of life.
All very well having a fixed link but think of the jobs that will be lost and family’s affected ! All the local hauliers would no longer be required because mainland hauliers could do it themselves , where would all the island drivers have to go to find work? And at what cost! Our island roads are busy enough, could our island cope if people have free reign to come over as and when?!
My family comes from the Island. My father left the Island to seek out opportunity when he was in his early 20’s back in 1970. (there’s your first clue) My Uncle went with him; shortly followed by my Mum. As a result, they married and set up home on the mainland and I was born in Southampton. My childhood was made up of school holidays on the Island. I grew up as what I call a “caulkhead by proxy”. Even back then, it was expensive and my parents saved up to visit their families. I eventually moved to the Island in my late teens. However, I left again when I couldn’t find a job that would give me a career (if there’s only been a fixed link that was affordable)
My family remain on the Island to this day and I visit regularly. My great aunt is now in her 90’s, my aunts and uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins and 3rd cousins all remain on our beloved Island. My parents and grandparents, great grandparents and so on are all buried there. I’d be there several times a week if I could, seeing family members, spending my money boosting the economy, I’d possibly buy another property.
A fixed link would allow me to tend graves, visit relatives in need of my assistance – day and night. My family could visit me more easily and all for a lower cost I would hope. It would also create jobs. Businesses would see the Island as viable in a better way than it does today. Medical treatment would be more accessible if St Mary’s cannot deliver (I understand you are on black alert). Tourism wouldn’t slack….it would be boosted. People are put off by high ferry fares. Recently I paid £150 for a ferry (Cowes Week 2017) and spent £700 on hotels. I would have stayed longer perhaps without an extra £150 to find? To be truthful the money isn’t an issue for me, but for others it truly is – the Island needs its chains removed and Southampton wants to show some love to it’s little sister across the water along with the rest of Mainland UK. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I am pro-fixed link and so should anyone who wants to see the Island flourish in years to come. The Island has an aging population and 25% of its children do not gain qualifications. 15% of people still claim a benefit of some sort – all reasons to create opportunity.
I expect to get negative responses to this as I don’t live on the island but have been there every year on holiday and other occasions since being a child due to close family living there. My family are no longer there but we have continued because the island has been part of our lives. By coming to the island we bring our money which fuels the islands economy. Sadly due to the price of the ferry increasing we are now looking at other locations on the mainland. We have seen so many attractions close and it is becoming less attractive for a holiday. Tourism for an island is vital for its economy and a fixed link would secure this future and enable people to continue to enjoy this beautiful and amazing location. For islanders it would mean more competitive prices as the ferry cost would not be built into the shops costings, there would be better more reliable access to vital life saving medical services located on the mainland. Better response for serious situations requiring Emergency service support from the mainland. A fixed link can only be a benefit to everyone.
With very few decent job opportunities and no universities here to carry on as we are with no fixed link is just not sustainable. It is of great concern when someone is taken poorly and has to be transferred to the mainland as time is of the essence. I am sick and tired of hearing old people complain about a fixed link when in their day jobs were plentiful. Also, people that move here and complain about a fixed link have no right to because they have taken into account affordability for THEIR personal circumstances, and they have made a conscious decision to move here. People who were born here or moved here when they were young do not have this choice because they have family here, and a move would mean hardly ever seeing their family due to the cost of getting on a ferry. Also, I am sick and tired of doing the same thing each time I take time off of work, wouldn’t it be lovely to just get in the car and go where you please. I do hope it wouldn’t cost Islanders any more than £20 a day in the Summer months.
I really hope it happens, it will greatly increase the younger generations prospects.
I had to check that this crazy scheme was not an April Fool joke. After the repeated failure of the chain ferry in Cowes, and the unreliability of the Hovercraft, if this is the best that Island based organisations can manage, Red Funnel and Wightlink can rest easy.
All Island politicians always get cheap support from IoW residents if they criticise the ferries, but I also know they have had special favours from the ferries in the past.
A letter I’ve sent to transcom@parliament.uk
Please feel free to use the content only would look better if you add your own feelings too.
Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to bring to your attention the dire situation that the people of the Isle Of Wight are facing.
The island has a population in excess of 140,000 which makes it the largest constituency in the UK!With that in mind then surely we have a certain right to being heard and listened to from Parliament?OUr mp Andrew Turner I feel,is failing to make proper representation to The House about our situation and as to just how bad it is.
Transport infrastructure is being talked about so much these days as a necessity for growth and maintaining services….the island is operating in reverse gear I feel and that surely has to stop!
I was incensed recently when I read of the island of St Helena having huge amounts of money being poured in for an airport that can’t be used.Ridiculous!
The IOW thankfully has a group of people who are trying to get our problems addressed by proposing that the island has a Fixed Link(https://solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk/).
For far too long now the island has effectively been held to ransom by the main two ferry operators Wightlink and Red Funnel,both owned by companies who use the island as a cash cow for their pension portfolios.There’s a moral and ethical aspect to this surely?
What I’m asking for is that the islands predicament would be raised in Parliament in spite of our mp and in spite of our local council who seem to be too afraid to “disturb the waters”!
I have spent over 44 years living on the island and for the sake of the future generations we need some hope and it is an urgent situation.Please consider this issue and I thank you in the hope of being listened to and a positive outcome in the vey near future.
Yours sincerely,
Did you know that if you or a loved one become extremely poorly for example a heart attack, they have to rely on a helicopter to transport them to a catheter lab for life saving treatment?
Now if this helicopter is not available (and most of the time it isn’t) you or your loved one will have to be taken to St Mary’s and kept stable until an ambulance transfer is available to take you/them to the Queen Alexandra in Cosham to have treatment.
Sadly and at no fault to any of the staff but St Mary’s is not equipped to deal with a lot of life threatening conditions.
A fixed link will open up the way for an ambulance to have direct access to the life saving services we deserve.
So I will leave it up to you, is your life or the lives of your loved ones worth the risk?
I have Cystic Fibrosis. I have to go to Southampton every 3 months which costs over £50 each time and I have to take a day off work as it takes so long. If I could use my motorcycle and a tunnel it would only cost petrol and tunnel fee’s. Also I could be back at work in the afternoon with time to spare.
Detractors say if you don’t like it move, so if you have get ill you have to move your entire family????
The only sensible argument against is cost although I could see this being recouped if UK companies were used to build it.
Time to move to the 21st century and stop the retired generation from pulling this island down with them.
All for fixed link.
My Father is terminally ill on the mainland. I want to spend as much time with him as possible, but the extortionate ferry fares makes this impossible, I just cannot afford it, and the increased fares during high seasons make it all the more impossible to afford travel. The journey time to see him is 3 hours, this could be cut right down with a drive through fixed link tunnel open 365 days a year. What does concern me is the lack of clarification on what it would cost to use a fixed link, I have heard as much as £20 each way which totally makes building it pointless as that is more expensive than some ferry fares.
Hi Dee,
Same problem but in reverse, my father is in a care home £400 plus for ferry and accom just for a long weekend to come over and see him on the Island
I am for a fixed link. many of my friends and family are unable to afford to visit during the holidays due to the extortionate prices the ferry companies charge.. if they can charge £34 for a RETURN some days then they shouldn’t be able to get away with charging £180 for a SINGLE during peak season. islanders feel like they are prisoners held to ransom by red funnel and wightlink. Britain has a tunnel to France and it is still an Island and Isle of Wight would still be a island when we have a tunnel to the mainland. jobs are suffering &tourists are in decline. Even one of the main attractions Bestival have moved to the mainland because of declining numbers due to the ferry costs. Not to mention those the poor folk which are forced to fork out hundreds of pounds as they have to commute to the mainland for work because of lack of jobs here. A tunnel will only help the regeneration of this island in all aspects. please wake up people before this island collapses
I am for. The pros out way the cons by miles. This would be a huge help for my family’s life and no doubt for many others.
We need a tunnel desperately
1. Our hospital is on black alert – most operations and procedures are being delegated to the mainland. I had a knee op recently and 7 return trips over paid for by the NHS nothing for my relatives for various checkups. The day of the operarion I was discharged from the hospital at 6pm, got home at 10.30pm because I missed the Wight link ferry by 3 min and I had to pay for my own car cost.
2. The UK is joined to France by a tunnel and yet it remains an island. They have choices to get off – road, ferry, rail, air we have nothing. 125,000 people are being held to ransom by two ferry companies.
There ferries are getting bigger and bigger and we have less and less sailings. 18 years ago you could get off the island every 30 minutes.
3. no jobs – one of the worst black holes in the UK
4. Our children all leave to find work or go to University on the mainland, seldom returning. Cost my two children and their partners £112.00 for one night – foot passengers to see me on my birthday. Christmas well two ferries WHAT AND WE ACCEPT THIS
5. A caravan and car for the May bank holiday was quoted £295.00 return. They are not coming over going into Bournemouth after 20 years of coming to the IOW
6. Our tourism is dying – Bestival being the most recent example.
7. Postage to the island is very selective. Many couriers won’t post here at all. I support local shops but often the items are very very expensive ( Ferry costs) or there is nothing here. A small parcel posted on the mainland can be as cheap at £1.99 tracked, the IOW 3.65 and we only have Royal Mail.
8. There is less and less for our young adults to do. The ice rink has closed, every club has closed – so what is left bars?
9. If you want to see a show on the mainland you have to pay for a nights accommodation, all passenger ferries stop at 11pm RIDICULOUS
10. And to cap it all our house prices are 25% less than the mainland.
To sum up – we need another way to get off the island. We need choices.
The council has an election in May I am going to propose to them that they hold a referendum a the same time to see if the residents on the island want a fixed link
there are too less choices, if we have to rely on a ferry, which offers less and less trips to the mainland
its about time to join the rest of the world! The Isle of Wight desperately needs a tunnel for its economic positive future
I would like to have more possibilities and not to be reliant on the ferries, which give no opportunity to do some thing at night times
Dear Pro Link
I spotted this news item about the Stubbington bypass which could be used for an entrance in the Browndown area. If you scroll down you will see the route
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-38852553
A tunnel close to the new road could link you up to junction 9 on the M27 with some road modification on the was there. In fact they are doing that now on the A27 at Titchfield
For the future of the Isle of Wight and the residents and all of the young people who live here we must have change eg: a fixed link to the mainland and not be held to ransom by the ferry companies and their extortionate prices, IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.!!!
The quicker the better.
We definitely need a direct link to the mainland!
I am for a fixed link as apart from the usual moans about the ferries and my family living on the mainland, there is the threat of the government closing the prisons on the island. If this happens then the economy on the island would plummet. If there was a tunnel it would give easy access for those made redundant to get another job or travel to another prison on transfer. It would also help with the islands economy.
I often feel like a prisoner, held to ransom by two ferry companies from a financial and freedom of travel perspective. If you need to go to the mainland (An island incidently) not only is it extremely expensive you are also restricted by their timetable, this is the 21st century people should be able to travel at will. Many companies won’t deliver to the island so even ordering furnishings etc are restricted. The island hospital is failing and the economy of the island is dying in front of us. HELP!! We need the fixed link the negatives of not solving the island’s issues will be the downfall of many!!
Since my original post back in November,the islands situation has taken a further backward step with our local hospital being taken into “special measures”.
This epitomises so much as to the general deterioration that is happening on the island and I’m convinced more than ever that THE ONE THING THAT CAN REVERSE THIS WOULD BE A FIXED LINK(TUNNEL).
To oppose this with little reason is to further the cause of “let’s do nothing and see what happens”.
There is no room for fence sitters or apathy.
A tunnel is getting desperate our hospital is not able to service much any longer. Costing the NHS a fortune to send us over to see specialists.
Our families are paying fortunes to visit and visa versa.
No jobs..
No entertainment for teenagers
Ferries sailing lessons and less frequently.
The list is enormous.
The Island desperately needs a fixed link. The ferry companies have no right to charge excessive prices during the holiday periods. They are as bad as airlines. It costs no more for the ferry to go in August than December. We need to stop Red Funnel and Wightlink cashing in. Somebody is getting rich from this. The employment situation on the Island is dire. The Isle of Skye got a bridge a long time ago. Get on with it. The Islanders deserve an improved standard of life.
Where would a tunnel go from and to?
All very well having a fixed link but think of the jobs that will be lost and family’s affected ! All the local hauliers would no longer be required because mainland hauliers could do it themselves , where would all the island drivers have to go to find work? And at what cost! Our island roads are busy enough, could our island cope if people have free reign to come over as and when?!
My family comes from the Island. My father left the Island to seek out opportunity when he was in his early 20’s back in 1970. (there’s your first clue) My Uncle went with him; shortly followed by my Mum. As a result, they married and set up home on the mainland and I was born in Southampton. My childhood was made up of school holidays on the Island. I grew up as what I call a “caulkhead by proxy”. Even back then, it was expensive and my parents saved up to visit their families. I eventually moved to the Island in my late teens. However, I left again when I couldn’t find a job that would give me a career (if there’s only been a fixed link that was affordable)
My family remain on the Island to this day and I visit regularly. My great aunt is now in her 90’s, my aunts and uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins and 3rd cousins all remain on our beloved Island. My parents and grandparents, great grandparents and so on are all buried there. I’d be there several times a week if I could, seeing family members, spending my money boosting the economy, I’d possibly buy another property.
A fixed link would allow me to tend graves, visit relatives in need of my assistance – day and night. My family could visit me more easily and all for a lower cost I would hope. It would also create jobs. Businesses would see the Island as viable in a better way than it does today. Medical treatment would be more accessible if St Mary’s cannot deliver (I understand you are on black alert). Tourism wouldn’t slack….it would be boosted. People are put off by high ferry fares. Recently I paid £150 for a ferry (Cowes Week 2017) and spent £700 on hotels. I would have stayed longer perhaps without an extra £150 to find? To be truthful the money isn’t an issue for me, but for others it truly is – the Island needs its chains removed and Southampton wants to show some love to it’s little sister across the water along with the rest of Mainland UK. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I am pro-fixed link and so should anyone who wants to see the Island flourish in years to come. The Island has an aging population and 25% of its children do not gain qualifications. 15% of people still claim a benefit of some sort – all reasons to create opportunity.
I expect to get negative responses to this as I don’t live on the island but have been there every year on holiday and other occasions since being a child due to close family living there. My family are no longer there but we have continued because the island has been part of our lives. By coming to the island we bring our money which fuels the islands economy. Sadly due to the price of the ferry increasing we are now looking at other locations on the mainland. We have seen so many attractions close and it is becoming less attractive for a holiday. Tourism for an island is vital for its economy and a fixed link would secure this future and enable people to continue to enjoy this beautiful and amazing location. For islanders it would mean more competitive prices as the ferry cost would not be built into the shops costings, there would be better more reliable access to vital life saving medical services located on the mainland. Better response for serious situations requiring Emergency service support from the mainland. A fixed link can only be a benefit to everyone.
With very few decent job opportunities and no universities here to carry on as we are with no fixed link is just not sustainable. It is of great concern when someone is taken poorly and has to be transferred to the mainland as time is of the essence. I am sick and tired of hearing old people complain about a fixed link when in their day jobs were plentiful. Also, people that move here and complain about a fixed link have no right to because they have taken into account affordability for THEIR personal circumstances, and they have made a conscious decision to move here. People who were born here or moved here when they were young do not have this choice because they have family here, and a move would mean hardly ever seeing their family due to the cost of getting on a ferry. Also, I am sick and tired of doing the same thing each time I take time off of work, wouldn’t it be lovely to just get in the car and go where you please. I do hope it wouldn’t cost Islanders any more than £20 a day in the Summer months.
I really hope it happens, it will greatly increase the younger generations prospects.
I had to check that this crazy scheme was not an April Fool joke. After the repeated failure of the chain ferry in Cowes, and the unreliability of the Hovercraft, if this is the best that Island based organisations can manage, Red Funnel and Wightlink can rest easy.
All Island politicians always get cheap support from IoW residents if they criticise the ferries, but I also know they have had special favours from the ferries in the past.