Concerns

Concerns Raised

On the Facebook Referendum Forum, concerns were expressed by some as to the implecations a Fixed Link would have on the Island. We have acknowledged these concerns and sought to find solutions. Below we have hopefully addressed these concerns.

How will traffic be effected?

By making use of the Mainland/Island Standard Gauge Rail link and using the Island based Monrail System, people arriving will be able to travel to the five major towns without the need to use traditional vehicles. Once at their destination a regulated taxi service will be able to take them to their final destination. Island residents, instead of using traffic congesting cars and buses, can commute or socialise via the monorail saving themselves time and money in fuel. Therefore, we can immediately reduce the impact theat traffic will have coming to the Island as well as allow options for Island residents to reduce their reliance on cars. All of this will contribute to a general overall decrease in Carbon emmisions.

What are the Tolls likely to be?

Please see the information on the Business Page.

Is it a viable option?

18 years ago on October 30, 1998 a £100,000 study into fixed link between the Island and the mainland was considered viable. A vfeasibility study came out in favour of an immersed tunnel under the Solent. Eight different routes were examined, from Calshot to Gurnard, Calshot to Cowes, Lee-on-Solent to East Cowes, Gosport to Fishbourne, Portsmouth to Fishbourne, Gosport to Ryde, Portsmouth to Ryde and Southsea to Ryde.

Will crime increase?

The vast majority of crime and crimanal behaviour is well researched and well documented. It is proven that most victims of assult know their attacker, most burglars operate within their own well known area, and that most petty crime is usually to fund some sort of substance abuse. Paying to travel or being in an unfamiliar area is not an option. A former Police Sergeant with 33 years service, 12 of those here on the Island, Mr. Michael Player who has a long carreer and experience fighting such crime and an expert in criminal patterns of behaviour had this to say:

"I have lived on the Island for over 20 years and seen the ever increasing price of the Ferry travel and the decrease in service. Some Island residents cannot any longer afford to cross the Solent and trapped. I am pleased I'm not one of them. Having been a serving Police Officer, I want to address the issue often raised by those who oppose a fixed link.

Most crimes in the UK are commited by local people in their home area. Crime on the Island is increasing as in all areas and is made up of mainly domestic related matters such as assaults against partners, alcohol and drug related offences. This would not change with a fixed link. The only crimes which the Island would become more vulnerable to are burglay and car crime. Car crime has decreased greatly due to the manufacturers designingout the ease of theft. The Island has CCTV cameras at each Ferry port and it is these that prevent mainland offenders coming here to steal cars. This would not change as the Fixed link would also be controlled by cameras.

The Police being both Hampshire Constabulary here and on the mainland have a vested interest in supporting each other. As far as burglary goes, yes ederley Island residents are vulnerable as they are everywhere, but we here do not suffer from rouge travellers as the mainland does, who specialise in stealing from the vulnerable. Why is this? Because the Ferry companies wotk with the Police to prevent them coming here. The Police in Hampshire have a robust policy against such offenders and this would continue as the control on the Fixed link could also work with the Police to stop them coming to the Island, and if they did the Police here as they do now would be able to stop them as they leave.

As far as other burglay is concerned, it is commited by drug users to pay for drugs, and this would not change amougst Island drug users, of which we have above average numbers for the population size. As for mainland offenders coming here. Why would they?, and get caught on CCTV which they have to pass twice, so just not worth the risk when they can as they usually do, and steal in their own area. I would envisage any CCTV system could include vehicle recognition and check all vehicles entering and leaving the Island.

Most people coming to the Island are here for pleasure, not crime. Hotel bed numbers would be thesame, so limited space. Day trippers could be controlled as Island residents would have a pass, like those used on American toll roads which are read by electronic readers and the cost is calculated and a monthly bill sent to the car owner. This preventing time and queues. The lanes non pass holders could be closed when an agreed number of cars had entered the Island. Now, there is no control as the Ferry companies fill the ferries up as full as possible and the ferries are getting bigger all the time.

A Fixed link would be open 24 hours. Island residents would not be subjected to over increasing prices, cancelled crossings, westher conditions, technical problems, staff shortages and the many other excuses given for poor service. It would allow Island residents to travel for work and earn a decent living and force the Island comanies who take advantage of a captured work force paying low and often minimumk wages. Quote by Senior staff of large department store, question "why do Island staff get lower rates of pay than the mainland staff for the same jobs?" The management speak for this market forces allows us to expliot Island workers.

I am sure all emergency services would also welcome the fact they can get assistance and support quickly from the mainland, unlike now if required. I know of some occasions when due to exceptional circumstances, support was and we could not get it quickly and had to waitfor the Ferries is they were actually running. On one occasion, the Fire service were so stretched that Fire engines had to be put on standby iin Hampshire but could not get here because of the Ferry not working. The Police had to hire are great cost a Ferry in 2000, just to be on standby in case the predicated chaos occured and support was needed. Thankfully it was not required. Think of the cost the Police and Ambulance services (that's out money) have to pay the Ferry companies to provide us with a service. This would be free on a fixed link. Think about Hospital visits, mainland treatment time restraints, I could go on.

Fixed link, yes please."

- Former Sergeant, Mr. Michael Player. November 2014