Still time for public to comment on 15-year Island Transport Plan

Members of the public still have an opportunity to comment on the future of transport on the Island, with the consultation on the draft Island Transport Plan (ITP) running until November 24.

Many Islanders have already commented on the plan and drop in events have taken place in Newport, East Cowes, Freshwater, Ryde and Cowes.  Two further are planned, together with an online forum.

The Island Transport Plan will have a 15-year life span, running until 2040 and considers:

• Cross-Solent travel
• Access to healthcare and education
• Climate change and adaptation
• Our changing transport and travel habits
• Local policies and strategies such as the Council’s Corporate Plan and the emerging Island Planning Strategy
• Regional and national policies and strategies
• The current PFI contract and it’s impact on the delivery of future projects and services
• The ITP includes objectives such as supporting local economic growth, improving air quality and travel efficiency, and making transport more inclusive and affordable.

Among the proposals are improvements to rural bus shelters, simplified ticketing across different modes of transport, and the rollout of real-time information across the network.

The plan also supports enhancements at ferry terminals and the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The remaining events will give the public the opportunity to discuss the plan with officers and ask questions. They are:

• Tuesday November 4 – Salisbury Gardens, Ventnor – 11:00 to 14:00 
• Thursday November 6 – Sandown Methodist Church – 11:30 to 14:30 

 As well as an online event for those unable to make the drop-ins:

• Monday November 3 17:00-18:30 – Log on using Microsoft Teams 

These events will give Islanders the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the Island Transport Plan with Council Officers.

Once the consultation has finished and responses have been considered, the final version of the plan will be published in early 2026.   It will be submitted to the Department for Transport for approval.

More details about the Island Transport Plan and Consultation can be found on the Council’s Island Transport Plan page.

Media can also embed our short video: Local Transport Plan.