Isle of Wight train station refurbishment decided next week

As part of the major transport interchange works taking place in Ryde, the South Western Railway station for the Island Line service at Ryde Esplanade could be refurbished.

The application will be decided at the Isle of Wight Council's planning committee meeting next Tuesday (October 25).

In the plans, provisions are included to refurbish the currently closed public toilets and open them to the public; extend the cafe and add another shop.

Picture by ERMC (Image: ERMC)

External alterations would see a new glazed entrance feature installed, as a welcome focal point to the station.

• Read more about the plans here: What Ryde's new train station will look like

Commenters say it is crucial to protect the building's historic context while also fulfilling transport requirements but there was no need to remove the existing bus information office.

Concerns had been raised by Hampshire Constabulary's Designing Out Crime Officer who said incidents regularly occur in that area of the Esplanade.

Between July 27, 2020, and July 26, 2022, 115 incidents were reported with 55 being of relevance to the application — 27 of which occurred between 10pm and 6am.

Police say the multiple entry/exit points would make policing incidents difficult.

To reduce crime and disorder, police advised the facility should be secured with roller shutter doors between 10pm and 6am and CCTV installed.

Proposed view of the train station. Picture by ERMC. (Image: ERMC)

Council planning officers say commuters would be unable to access facilities and the tram pier pedestrian walkway if the facility was secured overnight, while transport services are still running.

In their report, they say the same number of entry and exit points are proposed in the refurbished station as there are now, so it would not exacerbate the existing situation.

Officers are recommending the planning committee grant conditional permission subject to a construction environment management plan; demolition work completed outside of bird breeding season unless supervised by a qualified expert and final approval of external materials.

Picture by ERMC. (Image: ERMC)

They say while the proposed design would not result in a comprehensive regeneration of the building it would nonetheless improve its current 'service-like' appearance and provide a better sense of arrival.

Overall, officers say, the refurbishment would have substantial social, economic and environmental benefits.