I REFER to your articles “Train dream boost” and “Getting on track for better trains” (CP 29-05-20).

Feasibility studies for railway extensions to Newport and Ventnor are welcome.

As an architect and masterplanner with wide experience of regeneration projects, the stimulus to regeneration of towns connected by the proposed railway links will be considerable.

A rail connection into Newport Harbour is essential and overdue, to re-connect the centre of the Island’s largest town to Ryde; with quick onward connection to Portsmouth Harbour’s mainline train and bus stations.

The re-construction of the railway to Wroxall and Ventnor will also be welcome.

The regeneration opportunities for Ventnor as a national centre for the arts are significant; with improved connections to Newport, other Island towns and the mainland.

During lockdown at home, I’ve developed options to regenerate and preserve the industrial estate at Station Road, Upper Ventnor, inserting the new rail link and station.

I’d be happy to make this work available free-of-charge to the team undertaking the Feasibility Study.

The regeneration opportunities for Wroxall are also writ large. The centre of that beautifully located village has never recovered from the removal of its railway station in the 1960s.

There are areas of derelict and semi-derelict land in the centre, including the site of the former station and derelict bacon factory.

A masterplan is needed for Wroxall, to include appropriate use of these and other sites, alongside a new (smaller) station. Wroxall has much to gain from a creative approach to regeneration of its centre.

Finally, two comments about the proposed joint-use line from Smallbrook Junction to Newport. First, thought needs to be given to limit pollution from steam trains. Second, new diesel passenger trains should be avoided because of pollution.

Vivarail manufactures a battery powered two-rail electric version of its re-built tube train. The battery powered version should be used on that line.

Vivarail manufactures a battery powered two-rail electric version of its re-built tube train. The battery powered version should be used on that line.