4. Identification of potentially feasible options


4.1 Train Service Choices

Service development choices have been identified and evaluated to examine the traffic potential for route extension options.

Ryde - Ventnor:  extension of Ryde - Shanklin trains to Ventnor, calling at Wroxall.

Smallbrook - Newport (Barton):  a shuttle service from Smallbrook terminating in the east of Newport town adjacent to Victoria Road with connections for Island Line at Smallbrook.

Ryde - Newport (Barton):  through services from Ryde Pier Head to Newport (Barton) terminus.

Ryde - Newport (Quay):  the services would access Newport by means of a new alignment to Newport Quay involving a short section of 'street running' necessitating operation by appropriate light rail tram vehicles.

Ryde - Newport (town centre loop):  the services would access the centre of Newport by means of a street running loop via the Quay.

Shanklin - Newport & Ryde - Newport:  a Shanklin service via a new chord line south of Smallbrook to Newport town centre loop in addition to the above Ryde service.

Ryde - Cowes terminus via segregated rail route through Newport:  an attractive through journey time (Ryde -Cowes) would be sought by recreating a 'heavy rail' segregated alignment through Newport and into Cowes town (if found to be feasible).

Ryde - Cowes town centre via street running route through Newport:  services accessing  Newport and Cowes town centres with street running in the towns.

Shanklin - Cowes plus Ryde - Cowes:  a Shanklin service via a new chord line south of Smallbrook to Cowes town centre in addition to the above Ryde service.

Ventnor - Cowes, Ryde - Ventnor and Ryde - Cowes:  this service tests the impact of any network synergy effect and assumes street running through Newport and into Cowes town centre.

Both hourly and half-hourly service frequencies have been evaluated for each of these service choices.