Red Funnel's Isle of Wight car ferry terminal redevelopment plans go to public consultation

By Tom Kilkelly

29 June 2023

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Credit: Red Funnel

Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel's plans to redesign three sites in East Cowes have gone to public consultation.

The proposed development is the re-design and re-development of Phoenix Yard, Trinity Yard and Redux Yard.

These three sites will be transformed into a hotel, homes, and waterfront retail.

A four-week long consultation has launched today (Monday), for Islanders to have their say.

The company has said the plans, which are revised, seek to minimise existing traffic congestion from the town centre. Red Funnel has also said that these revised plans will improve accessibility, with new gangways and waiting areas for people with additional requirements.

Red Funnel has also emphasised that the 'mixed-use development comprising of homes, a hotel, and retail spaces will look to provide economic growth for the local area, as well as creating a waterfront offering that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike' according to the Isle of Wight County Press.

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Operations director at Red Funnel Leanna Lakes said: “We are proud that our port at East Cowes is a gateway to the Isle of Wight and are very conscious that alongside providing a lifeline service, we provide a welcome for locals and visitors alike.

“It’s essential that our operations remain resilient and meet the future needs of the communities and customers we serve. Over the last 12 months we have rigorously reviewed our plans and designs to make sure they provide the strongest outcome for East Cowes and the Island.

"We know how important it is to build resilience whilst enhancing the overall look of the waterfront and are ensuring that our plans to improve our marshalling facilities and access to our terminal aligns with the vision the Island strives to convey to visitors arriving from the mainland.

“We’re keen to gather the thoughts of the local community and are excited to present our plans during this consultation. We’re welcoming as much feedback as possible to help develop our plans, so I would encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.”

The first round of project consultation has opened and will close on Sunday, July 23.

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.