Isle of Wight Council Rail Study
1. Introduction
1.1 Study Remit
The Isle of Wight Council commissioned this
outline feasibility and initial appraisal of options to expand the passenger
rail network on the Island.
Undertaken by Jacobs Consultancy (formerly
GIBB Transport Consulting), this study complements our review, commissioned by
the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), which has considered heavy rail and light
rail options for future continued provision of passenger services on the
existing Island Line route between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin.
This
study considers options of extension south of Shanklin to reach Ventnor,
together with potential integration and extension with the existing IoW Steam
Railway route to provide passenger services through Smallbrook from Ryde to
Newport and thence possibly on to Cowes, again considering both conventional and
light rail solutions.
The principal deliverable of the study is an
initial high level feasibility and cost / benefit analysis of options for
expanding the rail network on the Island by means of 'heavy rail', i.e.
segregated way, and 'light rail', i.e. street tramway. The study
includes:
- An identification and assessment of route and passenger service options,
- An initial assessment of the additional annual journeys and passenger
revenue for each of the options.
- An initial assessment of appropriate service plans and resultant vehicle
requirements, rolling stock outlays and operating costs.
- An indicative assessment of route feasibility, Infrastructure works and
capital costs, and annual maintenance costs to be provided using benchmark
costs.
- A high-level financial investment appraisal of the options, and an outline
economic evaluation including non-priced user and non-user benefits, in a manner
consistent with SRA Planning Criteria.
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1.2 Background to the study
The
IoW Council have a stated policy that they "will support and encourage the
retention and extension of the Island's railway lines, and will ensure that
disused railway lines are safeguarded from development to allow their use for
sustainable transport purposes. This use could include rail schemes, cycle
routes, pedestrian paths and bridleways." "Where lines are re-opened to rail
traffic, there may be a possibility of linking routes by the street running of
trains through town centres."
Various stakeholders have suggested scope
for modernisation, conversion, and integration of Island Line with other
passenger services and extension of the system. Some advocate conversion to a
tramway capable of street running. Others have urged for replacing the railway
with bus or guided bus solutions. SRA have confirmed that options involving
closure of the railway are not on their agenda for the foreseeable future. The
two year extension of the existing franchise provides IoW Council, SRA and other
stakeholders with the opportunity to help identify and facilitate the best way
forward for the Island's railway, and the remit for this study is aimed at
providing part of the input to that process.