Current highway improvement schemes

Not all highways improvement schemes fall within the scope of the contract we have with Island Roads. In certain cases, for example when government funding becomes available, we are able to commission own projects to improve junctions or certain stretches of road. This section provides details of new road improvement schemes.

In July 2020, we were awarded £10 million from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. The funding will help to improve Ryde transport interchange. The funding bid was part of a South East Hampshire Rapid Transport (SEHRT) initiative. This includes Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council. The project will improve sustainable transport infrastructure and connectivity on the Island, and in and around Portsmouth city region. It will focus on improvements for cyclists, pedestrians and bus, rail and ferry users.

The project is broken down into four elements:

1. Improvements by Wightlink to transform the old tramway along Ryde Pier into a new pedestrian boardwalk.
2. Improvements by IWC and South Western Railway to Ryde Esplanade railway station to accommodate Island Line’s new trains and connect with the new pedestrian pier. The terminal building will also be refurbished to create fully accessible toilets and expanded concessions.
3. Bus terminal remodelling to provide an improved environment for pedestrians with more public amenity space, and an improved road layout to better support bus movements
4. There are also cycleway improvements. These include links to and through the interchange, linking existing cycleways to Puckpool in the east and Ladies Walk in the west.

Much of the project funding is conditional on some specific improvements being made which form the basis of the design. There are also aspects of the final design that have been influenced by the community through consultation and engagement particularly in relation to the look and feel of the public space. The following cabinet report contains details of the feedback received during the consultation period.

Construction is now well underway, and the majority of the works are anticipated to be completed late Spring 2023.