Both Chris and Michael are honoured to have been re-elected to represent Shanklin South & Central respectively on the Isle of Wight Council. We will continue to serve the residents of Shanklin to the best of our ability. We have both also been elected as members of Shanklin Town Council.
Coastal Community Funding
Over the last year, the IW Council has been working with our MP to secure significant Central Government funding to protect our coastal communities and has successfully secured a grant for £40 million for that purpose. The submission included replacement groynes on the Bay beaches, repairs to the sea wall and launch ways, improvements to the Coastal Path including repair and re-instatement of historic cliff paths.
Island Line Upgrade Update
Whilst we are all very disappointed at the recently announced delays to the completion of the Island Line infrastructure upgrade, we thought you may like to read the official statement from South Western Railway. Meanwhile, the Shanklin Railway Station refurbishment and platform upgrade are progressing well and almost complete. **STOP PRESS** Island Line’s latest new train – Vivarail 484004 arrived onto the island on the 18 th May to join her sister 484001, having been delivered at Sandown after being transported from the Wightlink terminal at Fishbourne.
Train issues delay Island Line reopening:
South Western Railway is disappointed to announce that, due to challenges with the delivery of the new fleet of class 484 trains, the reopening of the Island Line will be delayed.
Rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail had been set to deliver all the trains to the Island well before Easter, but complex software issues mean the fully refurbished trains are yet to be delivered. As soon as the trains can be delivered to the Island, SWR can begin the extensive process of operational
testing, safety assurance and training required to bring them into service.
As a result, it is with regret that we will have to push back the reopening of the Island Line to later this summer. Given the complexity of the challenges we face, primarily with the software on the trains, it is too early to provide a firm date.
SWR and Vivarail are now conducting a full review to build a strong programme in which all parties can have confidence and will provide further updates on that programme in due course.
In the meantime, SWR is committed to keeping customers on the Island moving and has today pledged to double the capacity of the rail replacement bus service from 17 May, to match the capacity of the previously expected rail timetable.
Statement by Adrian Shooter, CEO, Vivarail LTD: CLASS 484 TRAINS FOR THE ISLAND LINE
This is an announcement I hoped I wouldn’t have to make. I must tell you that, regrettably, there will be a delay in delivery of our trains for the Island Line. Whilst we were able to deliver the first train to the Isle of Wight several months ago, the rest of the fleet are still at Eastleigh for mainline testing
before delivery.
We know that this is the second delay to the introduction of the new service, and acknowledge that South Western Railway is on schedule with its infrastructure upgrades.
As a company we take full responsibility and offer our apologies to the passengers and staff of the Island Line. It would be easy to hide behind Covid and point the finger at the pandemic, but we had in fact managed to claw back a lot of that lost time and brought the build back on schedule and all trains have now left our factory.
However, we have unforeseen difficulties with the software. Although in essence it is no different to the version we have used previously it needed some changes to enable the train to run on the 3rd rail. Planning and analysis began over 18 months ago and did not bring any problems to light, but the live tests have uncovered some serious issues. Our priority is to deliver safe and reliable trains, so I have instructed my team to undertake a thorough review rather than try to ‘patch’ the software.
Although this is a difficult time I would like to acknowledge also the help that we have had from ourfriends in the Railway Family.
Bombardier allowed us to use their test track at Derby, Arriva have let us use their depot at Eastleigh and Network Rail could not have been more helpful. Above all the support from SWR has been invaluable. Their team of engineers and project manager have given us help and guidance throughout and it is testament to their professionalism that we still have a robust testing, delivery and training programme in place.
We have a team of engineers on the Island already, working with SWR’s depot engineers on unit 484001 to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities as the rest of the fleet begin to arrive.
As part of the infrastructure works, which have largely progressed on schedule, SWR has:
• Improved the ride comfort of the line by trimming, rejointing and adjusting the rails on over 6.5 miles of railway, as well as installing new sleepers and rail at various locations between Shanklin and Ryde St Johns
• Installed new electricity cables, an upgraded power supply and new signalling cables and equipment across the line to provide greater resilience and reliability for years to come
• Constructed a ‘passing loop’ at Brading which allows trains to pass each other and make possible a new regular half hourly service
• Upgraded stations which will see new ticket machines at 3 locations and Wi-Fi at all stations
• Improved accessibility by raising platforms or lowering tracks at 5 stations to reduce the step between the train and the platform.
• Transformed the Ryde St John’s depot to accommodate the new 484 class trains, with a new crane and hi-tech software to maintain the fleet
Task Force to Tackle Fly-Tipping
The IW Council is to develop a litter and fly tipping action plan to tackle the growing problem of fly-tipping on the Island. The new approach includes a proposal for a task and finish working group with the aim of developing a strategy and a two-year rolling plan to crackdown on fly-tip and littering and increase enforcement action against culprits. The action plan will set out additional resources needed to protect the environment, reduce fly-tipping and littering and take action against those who blight the landscape.
Drawing together a single strategy will make sure our neighbourhood services have the resources to maintain clean public spaces, and support the enforcement policies for environmental crime. Local councils in England dealt with nearly one million cases of fly-tipping in the year up to March 2020. There were 525 fly-tips collected by the IW Council and its contractors in that period.
Visit www.iwight.com to book a bulky waste collection or a slot to visit one of the council's household waste and recycling centres.
Carriageway Reconstruction Works in Landguard Manor Road and Landguard Road - Shanklin
Island Roads have recently announced the commencement of carriageway works due to take place in our local area, and have provided information and guidance in relation to what will happen during the works, to enable you to plan accordingly.
Timing of the works:
Reconstruction works started on Monday 10th May 2021 for approximately 39 working days.
Reconstruction works will take place during the day between 07:30am – 6:00pm.
Island Roads will be undertaking localised areas of reconstruction under 24-hour road closures along Landguard Manor Road and Landguard Road, Shanklin. During these works no on-street parking and no vehicle access will be permitted within the areas of closure. In order to minimise disruption,
Island Roads will be working in phases:
Phase one - Landguard Manor Road, Shanklin between Witbank Gardens and Green Lane
Tuesday 10/05/2021 – Thursday 27/05/2021 (Mon to Fri)
Phase two - Landguard Manor Road, Shanklin between Green Lane and Atherley Park Way
Friday 28/05/2021 – Friday 04/06/2021 (Mon to Fri)
Phase three - Landguard Manor Road and Landguard Road, Shanklin between Atherley Park
Way and Carter Road - Monday 31/05/2021 – Wednesday 02/06/2021 (Mon to Fri)
Additional closure - Marine Cross Road for its entire length
Phase four - Landguard Road, Shanklin between Carter Road and Falcon Cross Road
Thursday 03/06/2021 – Monday 07/06/2021 (Mon to Fri)
Phase five - Landguard Road, Shanklin between Falcon Cross Road and High Street Tuesday
08/06/2021 – Monday 28/06/2021 (Mon to Fri) Additional closure/Traffic management -
Falcon Cross Road between Regent Street and Landguard Road - Western Road will be two-way during this phase to allow access for residents only - Vehicle access into Landguard Road car park will be prohibited
For safety reasons, throughout the reconstruction, parking restrictions will be necessary along additional sections of Landguard Manor Road, additional sections of Landguard Road, Carter Road, Carter Avenue, Collingwood Road and Western Road. Any areas with restrictions will be indicated by no waiting cones which will be placed in the sections affected the night prior to the restrictions coming into force. Two-way traffic lights may be necessary at various locations throughout the reconstruction. Therefore, please allow additional time for your journey as you may experience delays within the area.
Access: If you would like assistance whilst Island Roads are working in your street, and you have a medical condition, a disability and/or a social care problem such as mobility problems or near-term pregnancy that may impact you or another using the footway and/or road please contact the help desk, so arrangements can be made to assist you.
Island Roads will continue to follow several new operating procedures in order to comply with the Government’s latest guidance on social distancing as these essential highway improvement works are undertaken. Therefore, we request you respect the safety of all Island Roads workforce by keeping a safe distance from both operatives and the works area. Should you have any questions, the Island Roads Help Desk is contactable on 01983 822440 or info@islandroads.com .
If you have, or wish to discuss any particular concern or matter, please contact us on chris.quirk@iow.gov.uk 07802 705831 or michael.beston@iow.gov.uk 07885 644426.
