Vital transport links to the mainland for people living on the
Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly have been safeguarded
during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to an emergency package of
up to £10.5 million, granted by the government.
The funding – agreed jointly by the Department for Transport and
Her Majesty’s Treasury – will support the continuation of crucial
passenger ferries to the Isle of Wight as well as sea and air
links to the Isles of Scilly over the next 3 months.
More than 140,000 people live on the Isle of Wight and 2,200 on
the Isles of Scilly. This fund will help ensure these communities
continue to have access to vital medical services on the mainland
while protecting the flow of supplies to these regions.
This is the latest step in a string of urgent measures being
taken forward by the government to support vital public services,
including emergency support
to sustain rail, bus and freight links as operators
manage the impacts of COVID-19.
It follows the temporary suspension of competition law to allow
ferry operators in the Isle of Wight to work together to continue
to run essential services despite reduced usage during the virus,
maintaining a vital route for those who cannot work from home and
those needing medical treatment.
Transport Secretary said:
Lifeline transport services remain fundamental to everyday
lives, and by taking action today, we are helping ensure
communities can access healthcare and essential goods and
services.
We should all be inherently grateful to transport operators who
are providing vital services across the country at this
difficult time and we will continue to back them and the
critical work they carry out.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
MP said:
Services like these play a vital role in providing communities
in these more remote areas with the essential supplies they
need – which is particularly important as we face the COVID-19
pandemic.
That’s why I’m delighted to award this much-needed funding
today to these services operating in the Isles of Scilly and
Isle of Wight and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank
their employees for their continuing efforts in challenging
circumstances.
Alongside the support for lifeline ferry services, the Transport
Secretary today announced a new support package, worth tens of
millions of pounds, to safeguard essential freight paths during
the pandemic.
The funding will secure the ongoing supply of critical goods,
including life-saving medicines, into the country during the
COVID-19 pandemic, with up to 31 routes eligible for support.
The government continues to work closely with industry leaders
and operators across the transport sector to identify how it can
provide them with the support they need and has already announced
a series of measures to do this.
Earlier this month, the Department for Transport
announced £397 million in emergency
funding to maintain important bus connections across
England during the pandemic.
It came after the DfT temporarily suspended normal rail
franchise agreements, transferring all revenue and cost risk to
the government to ensure trains necessary for those who
need to travel continue to operate.
