Don't forget the Isle of Wight — that is the message from our political leaders to a major, independent review of UK transport connectivity.

Island MP Bob Seely and IW Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart are putting forward two options for giving the IW a fair crack of the whip — a subsidised, regulated ferry network or a fixed link to the mainland.

While they make it clear they think a "new normal" of regulated, governed ferry services is the preferred option, they also put the fixed link on the table to the Union Connectivity Review — which is being led by government adviser Sir Peter Hendy.

The review is looking at transport solutions throughout the UK but the two Island leaders' message is that the IW should not be overlooked.

Their two submissions suggest:

1) To make (a) funding available for a new regulatory and governance model for existing cross-Solent connectivity (with subsidies and public service obligations, where needed, to ensure minimum levels of service); and (b) appropriate, additional funding available to ensure provision of public services on the Isle of Wight is equal to that enjoyed on the mainland.

2) To continue with the arrangements set out in (1) above, unless the case is made (and funding made available) for constructing a fixed link between mainland England and the Isle of Wight – and then adjusting the ongoing funding model accordingly once such a fixed link was in place.

In their detailed response, they outline the shortcomings of the current set-up of cross-Solent connectivity – and cite the impact of coronavirus as bringing these issues to a head.

Describing the pandemic intervention (with specific legislation and funding for existing ferry operations) as a “watershed moment”, Mr Seely and Cllr Stewart say we should not return to the “old normal”.

Mr Seely said: “We must work towards a more sustainable and public-orientated approach in the future, which has proper regard for the essential / lifeline nature of these crossings. With the railways now transitioning – post-pandemic – to a new, more accountable operational model, we should look to do the same with our ferry services.”

The submission makes clear Islanders need reliable and affordable cross-Solent connections to access healthcare, work and education – particularly as the community recovers from the effects of the pandemic.

Mr Seely said: “Our connectivity to the mainland is currently entirely at the discretion of unregulated, privately-owned operators who are ultimately not formally answerable for their operational decisions to anyone but their shareholders.

"Islanders cannot rely on the ferries being there to provide lifeline services. This needs to change. We need intervention.

“While our submission sets out the current shortcomings, and suggests some potential ways forward, we are asking Sir Peter — as part of his wider review — to look in detail at how a new regulatory and governance model could be put in place.”

Cllr Stewart added: “The coronavirus pandemic has shown us just how important it is to ensure our lifeline ferry services remain open for the transportation of food, medicine and movement of key workers.

“I am grateful to the ferry companies for working with the council to keep routes operating during the height of the pandemic, but I am concerned that they have no real obligation to do so.

"There have been times over the past nine months where services have been vastly reduced or stopped, which has caused much distress to Islanders.

“Through this submission, we have also reinforced the case for a funding settlement which recognises the additional costs of providing public services on an island separated by sea.

"Over many years, governments of all colours have shied away from tackling the issues we have highlighted. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, there is now the opportunity to look afresh at what could be done.”

Mr Seely and Cllr Stewart conclude their submission by saying that: “We consider that, on balance, the expenditure required to establish a fixed link between mainland England and the Isle of Wight would likely be far in excess of the costs involved with making a meaningful intervention in existing cross-Solent connectivity and providing additional funding available for public services, even over many years.

"On this basis, our preference would be to see the regulatory option as the best way forward to significantly improve cross-Solent connectivity and help level up the Isle of Wight’s economy and prosperity with neighbouring parts of the mainland, while maintaining its distinctiveness and unique character.”

Responding to the submission, Jonathan Bacon, of new political group Our Island, said: "We are very pleased to see the detailed response to the call for evidence and the fact that it puts forward a clear case for the imposition of a new regulatory model which accords with the stated aim of Our Island to 'seek regulation of ferry services and the imposition of a public service obligation to control fares and the regularity of sailings'.

"It is a little disappointing that there is not more detail in the response as to a detailed potential model for how this could work, but overall we support the response and hopes it bears fruit."