Transport
Published: June 2, 2024 | Updated: 2nd June 2024
The route between Portsmouth and Ryde may be served by all-electric ships and a new port on the island if plans put forward by Wight Gateway Ltd (WGL) are given the go-ahead.
As reported by the BBC, WGL intends to use land it owns west of Ryde to build the new port, with hopes to win National Significant Infrastructure Project status from the government which would allow the planning permission to be fast-tracked.
On the mainland, Portsmouth City Council has agreed to draft terms on a mainland berth at Portsmouth Port to allow discussions to progress.
WGL is fronted by former army colonel and ex-chairman of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Danny Fisher.
He said: “We can’t do anything until we get planning permission for the port [at Ryde].
“The challenge will be the Environment Agency and others interested in marine life.”
As a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Ramsar Wetland and a Special Protection area, the coastline west of Ryde is protected from development, however WGL says it has carried out a ten year study to counteract these challenges.
Another possible challenge for the fledgling company is its plans to run the ships, which would be able to carry cars and vans – but not lorries – on renewable power from both sides of the Solent.
Both Wightlink and Red Funnel have previously said that the national grid cannot supply enough power to run electric ferries on the Solent.
WGL say their research shows otherwise.
Isle of Wight Council leader Phil Jordan said: “I am incredibly supportive of this fantastic new initiative.
“This is a much-needed project that will help us as an Island community to reinvigorate businesses, tourism, connectivity, NHS and much more.”
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said he was in discussions with Nick Wakefield, one of WGL’s directors and a former banker.
In March, the MP urged the government to support WGL’s proposals, saying “it would help to break the duopoly of Red Funnel and Wightlink” and reduce fares”.
