Fall in number of visitors to Isle of Wight

Hi Linda. Yes, I just noticed that the Windmill is closing. I hope things do turn around for the island, but I probably won't be visiting to see it. As I will almost certainly be be selling up next year. Still, we've had some good times over the past 10 years, & don't regret the time we;ve spent on the island.

Hi William. It's a lose, lose situation - fewer tourists, fewer jobs for locals - the Windmill in Bembridge is up for sale now - industry closing/redundancies - Trucast, Vestas for example. So less money available to buy in the remaining shops, eat/drink in the remaining pubs, it becomes depressing. The council should look outside its old boy network and really think how they can get the tourists back, and soon.

Hi Linda.. I think that people would like to agree with you, but in reality it won't happen. I honestly believe that second home owners make a far bigger contribution to the island economy than the 10% discount costs. Also many of the so called second homes are not really large enough for full time occupation. Most of the pubs & restaurants are very quiet in the winter months, without our trade some would not survive, & of those that do, they would prbably have to reduce staff numbers. The council seem determined to drive down tourism on the island. There are very few hotels still trading in west Wight. Some of them have been reduced to B&B status so they do not have to pay for a chef. I find it very sad that the council is so blinkered.

William - if people lose the council tax discount for having a second home so they stop buying second homes that remain empty for months, won't it mean if the house prices drop that local people can afford to buy the houses as a permanent home?

Wow John got out the wrong side of bed.... YOU are far from normal what a little abusive bully you are I bet your mother would be proud of you? and what exactly am I surposed to be agreeing with JOHN I can see when you don't feel your getting your own way your type of person turns into a nasty little bully....why can't you answer the simple question John on how much you want to pay on the bridge' it's just a question after all! are you the type of child.. sorry were the type of child that got abusive towards your parents/teachers when they asked you a question John! Why is it people like you only serve to pick holes in other people {It's only a bracket sign why so uptight} is it to try and make yourself feel better John more superior.. what have you brought to the table abuse aside I've said I'll use a fixed link if it was there {do you have trouble reading when the red mist comes down John} so how will it be paid for John and how much do you feel is a fair price to use a fixed link?

What a condescending, smarmy stuck-up **** you are Darren. No-one agrees with you so you come across as some sort of dictator with your views. You don't even use the correct bracket sign - it's ( NOT {! There's a difference. Go back to your little cave and dwell like a hermit. Give us normal people a chance of life!

Once the councils plans to end the 10% discount that 2nd home owners get on their council tax come into effect the numbers will fall even more. Most 2nd home owners get very little value for what they pay. They only use a few of the services that the tax pays for. Out of season, the ferries are very quiet as are the pubs & restaurants. People will be forced to sell & local business will suffer, causing more unemployment & probably an increase in the already high ferry fares. Still never mind, it makes a great headline, it doesn't matter that the overal effect on the islands economy will be a negative one. Just as long as it makes it look as though the council are doing a good job.

Linda, add to that the cost effectiveness of cruising. Full board. All entertainment. Superb food and Service with a smile. A 'moving' hotel taking you to different places. Excursions with experienced guides (these do cost extra but there is terrific help in doing the excursions yourself) etc etc etc
Many cruises operate a coach pick up service to take you to Southampton or free parking when you get there. Unpack once.
When you take a UK holiday and add the ferry fare to it, cruising wins hands down, ................ and you don't have to be rolling in money as has been implied.

how about the impact on tourists from no TICs, no tourist parking permits, huge entrance fees to attractions, nothing open after 5.30pm, closed public toilets? Yes ferries are expensive, but travel at an unsociable hour and you save pounds. Some hotels are unattractive with rooms overlooking the bins.

Your right Warren I don't think it would be the ruin of the ferry companies as you said its about choice as I've said in earlier posts I like traveling by ferry I live on an Island and feel that is part and parcel of it, but if there was a bridge/tunnel and I needed to get on the mainland faster I would use it, but not if I was on a day out {I don't think the family would let me} I know of a number of people who have property in France and even though we have the tunnel they still travel by ferry to them it's part of it. Your right on the roads as well there just isn't the space to make drastic change a tweek here and there may be, but complete overhaul I just don't think there's the space, It all started out as cart tracks most of it and the volume of cars has increased dramatically in the past 15 years I can remember some streets having nexted to no cars parked in them.. god I sound old...and can you imagine how long it would take from yes will build one to breaking the earth20/30yr

I guess a fixed link would not stop all ferry companies from operating, and to be honest I think none of them would stop. The passenger ferries (Red Jet, Wightlink, Hovertravel) would definitely still operate, for example, to transport the likes of me and thousands of others so they can go to work in London etc by train. The road nfrastructure on the Island would have to dramatically change. No more single roads into town centres, the traffic from Ryde to Newport queueing along Fairlee Road and the Racecourse is horrendous most of the time. However I would love to see a fixed link, as I think it gives consumers an extra option! Although if the council take years just to approve Asda, what hope have we got!

Hello Warren good to have you on board.. a tunnel would work {channel tunnel/ hind head bypass etc} probably have less enviromental impact I don't know.. that's not to say a bridge will not work some bridges are very beautiful to look at but it still comes down to cost of build and how this will be recouped {private funded or government}for build costs/maintenance etc... either by direct charging or indirect through higher rates/taxation I prefere direct... let me explain car tax should be scraped in my opinion and keep fuel tax the more a travel the more you pay towards the upkeep of the roads etc but then the government would have to find the lost income from somewhere else and so it gos on and on... any way if indirect we all pay and to some this would seem unfair if they don't use something so it's the same question how to pay and what to pay I guese the ferry prices are the price of living/visiting this beautiful island or it's curse just depends on the individual. All the best.

Hi John good to see you back. ONE AGAINST SO MANY WOW! strong words John... almost bullying words... at no point have I said I don't want a bridge... The point I was raising and failing to get a answer to was... and here we go again... how cheap is cheap enough for people like you and Mike { Mikes been all around the world first class John he must be minted see earlier post John} to use this very expensive bridge {hope they don't land it in your back yard or do you live out the west wight} Just imagine the bridge is built it didn't effect you in any way, you me and Mike are all there at the opening ceremony waving our flags whats the price going to be for our car with us in to get across John A) free B) some where from £1 to £30 C) same as the ferry just more convenient... ABorC John. All the best

What about a tunnel?

Just read the last few posts, and DARREN, it's YOU who looks foolish! You are the only one posting here that doesn't seem to want a bridge? Do you not understand the compexity of averages? One against so many?

Visitor numbers are down because there is a recession a double dip one at that and ferry travel cost will no doubt add to the visitor number drop and also other factors, holidays at this time are a luxury for most me included { no first class travel all over the world for me Mike Mike Crowe the man of means whats it like to be wealthy Mike...See earlier post everyone... just quoting MIke} and building a bridge when ever if ever will not help with the immediate problem.All the best... my last post on this subject... Mike Crowe THINK before you comment and answer a question when somone asks otherwise you look foolish.......

Don't go Mike I'll miss you... I cut my cloth accordingly Mike if more people did this the world would not want so much I go without what is not important to afford what is like seeing family on the mainland and I'm happy to spend the money to do this if I did not I would move to the mainland for the CONVENIENCE.... Mike would you be happy to have the convenience of the bridge but pay the same as the ferry... if not then as I originally said it comes down to cost so how cheap is cheap enough for you MIKE Please answer a direct question Mike so we can solve the tourist problem please please please I'm on bended knee.... did you say you worked at county hall please tell me you were not in charge of anything bet the pensions nice and FAT though eh... answer the question Mike and we can all go to bed.......is it cost?

Have they looked at the price it costs to get to and from the I.O.W ?

Just a thought

My apologies ....

" bridge but those" ....... by those......

It would appear Darren that you have both money and time to spare so will never understand the need for a bridge but those with either one or both missing.

Good Night

Mike do you need to be on the mainland a lot... Ive always enjoy the ferry trip myself

and Darren, what price do you put on convenience?

Mike convenience and what else ?

It is not only the huge ferry prices that put visitors off,it is also the very high accommodation costs. H/B on the Island is about £600 per person per week in a standard traditional Island hotel. You can also fly out to the Canaries ,stay at a better hotel for week,with better quality fresh(all inclusive) food and drinks, have sunshine in Winter for £600 including two 4.5 hour flights!

Darren, is the word 'convenience' in your vocabulary?

Mike get your glasses changed i didn't say you said the bridge will be free reread i said cost so little against the ferry prices I said in my original post that the general consent is get that bridge built that will show them ferry companys and why is the question... do the people that think building one {and yes anything can be built with space/permission and MONEY.. man went to the moon after all} so why be hell bent on building one if it will not provide a cheaper alternative what's the point!...so back to the question on the 99th time of asking why do you want a bridge remember you said AND I am quoting you IT WILL BE BUILT... do you want one other than you believe it will provide a cheaper alternative other wise WHY BUILD IT.... so answer the question why build it and how cheap is cheap enough to show those pesky ferry companies whats what... over to you and try to answer the question with a educated answer if you have one?

Darren, please quote where I have said that the bridge will be free.

That will do for starters.

Over to you.

Mike sweet heart your missing the point I'll say it again for the dreamers do you honestly believe even if a bridge was built it will cost so little to use that it will solve the problem of the cost of getting everything from people to freight and all inbetween to the island yes or no do you believe money would be invested and a company not want a return! yes or no and John why are you so against a company making a profit thats how they provide jobs and as mike so brilliantly pointed out invest is everyone supose to work for nothing accept you again I raise the POINT do you all believe they will build this bridge and let you all travel for nothing if not for free how small would the amount be to keep all you lot happy we all like something for nothing but in the real world it all has to be paid for {Ireland or Greece anyone} so how little should they be charging be it a bridge or a ferry? that is the question not whether it will be built tommorrow or in 100 years time john

Just visited the island to see freinds ferry for 5days ferry cost $100 last time its all changed now please d ont build a bridge the apathy and frustation of the people will only spread north just keep doing 70mph up the outside lane of the only duel carrigway and get it out of your system

Visitor numbers are down because of the ferry prices.

My brother and his family decided to stay away this year and so did a friend and his family. They both blamed the £160 required to get across the water. These are people known by just me - the number of people who didn't come over because of the cost must be eye watering. The loss of business to the Island probably runs into the millions.

Don't blame the weather or the Olympics. I would like to see how they arrived at blaming these instead of the cost of getting a car over here.

As for a bridge. My opinion is get it built. Cruise ships do not go through the narrow stretch anyway. It will bring jobs. It will expand tourism. It will benefit everyone. And the 'Island' status remains intact. The positives outweigh the negatives.

Why do ships need to be affected anyway? A bridge across the western side of the island to a link up with the M27 at junction 1 wouldn't affect large ships as they all travel in a clockwise direction around the island anyway. Just stop ships coming through the solent past the Yarmouth and Needles areas. Simple!

Stephen, any good at design and drawing? Check out air drafts of ships. Check out the bridges that the cruise liners go under now. One in the middle of the Suez Canal, one at Lisbon, San Fransisco, one in the Panama, just some I haven't had any trouble going under when cruising. Sydney Harbour Bridge is a bit low for getting into Darling Harbour but as the main quay is this side of the bridge, no problem.

That's your homework for tomorrow.

Height of bridge and gentle rise to the highest point .................. no problem.

Next Please.

The Bridge.
This is impossible number one being the access for the largest cruise ships into Southampton mean the bridge will be like a humpback bridge. Secondly the islands roads simply cannot cope with more vehicles and I'm not talking about being busy I'm talking about how it'll crumble away.
Just drop the prices of ferries or allow two operators to use the same ports so competition can reign.

It simply costs to much and the ferries shouldn't be private but publicly owed.

Thank you John. With people like Darren, man would never have flown. Pessimists, don't you just love them ....... not.

Sorry Darren I have to disagree. They said the Humber bridge would never be built. They said the Channel Tunnel would never be built. They said the Isle of Skye link would never be built..... Need I go on? With enough people behind the idea, it WILL be built.

I've just found the Wight Link info at Companies House. They have an annual turnover of £55 MILLION and an annual PROFIT of £10,389,000! Bless their cotton socks! They're skint!

Mike when ever this subject comes up about ferry prices the bridge is always talk about as if it will cost pennies to use... get that bridge built that will show those ferry companies... investment yes why do you think the cost of the ferries is considered high? its not just running costs you know its investment for the future, there would be very little difference in price to the ferries { this was my point} regardless of actual cost or the period with which it is paid back you also miss the point of my comment about height and where it will start and touch down can you imagine the environmental studies alone that would need to be passed {nimby anyone} you've work at county hall they like spending money on studies! I know the bird and bat man that carries out these studies wind turbine anyone!!! I'm afraid your living in cloud cuckoo land with the state of the economy as to who would invest in such a scheme I'm afraid Mike it will never happen!

Daren, who said it would be free? Of course it's going to cost a lot of money, but it doesn't have to be paid back just as soon as the bridge is built, it's called 'investment' and not all of the money has to forked out in one go i.e.when you place the order. It's paid for in installments. Installments over the 10 years it would take to build for example and paid back over a long time.

Where would it go from and to? A motorway, I assume the M273 is already planned to pick up on the M27 at Fareham to serve Fareham and down to Gosport. Extend it in bridge form to touch base just West of Ryde.

How high? The air draft of the ships which come through here is not very high, the climb on the land sides would not be that great. Is the climb up from Coppins Bridge onto the Dual Carriageway steep? I was in County Hall when the chalk was being laid for that and it looked like they were building a mountain.

It WILL come, let's get it started NOW

One thing that strikes me from the comments is that by building a bridge 99% of people seem to think it will be free or cost very little when the cost of building such a structure if possible! {where would it begin and where would it end because it would need to be high enough for all the shipping that uses the solent.... be one hell of a steep on and off ramp}would be a small fortune and this needs to be got back and the cost to maintain and the cost for eventual renewal because they do not last forever we allready have competition with two ferry companys so vote with your feet and tyres... keep smiling groovers.

I have recently been to the Greek Islands and the cost of ferry travel compared to this robbing lot is massive! A half hour journey for two adults AND car was just a few euros - no more than ten - which works out to about eight quid!
It doesn't matter how much people say they don't want a bridge (or tunnel), the majority of people on this forgotten island want one! Time we had a referendum on this! County Press, take note!!

Is the solent crossing still the most expensive ferry route on the planet.?(cost per mile) I remember reading that it was many years ago. Its cheaper to holiday abroad nowadays.

I have not bothered to read this story, but going by the headline, I assume that not many holidaymakers have visited this year?

Ok, firstly, yes, the price of a ferry for a car and/orcamper/caravan is horrendous.

Secondly, the price of "attractions" is quite steep, why pay to come to the island and pay to go into say the Needles park and pay for the rides and chairlift etc, when you could have more fun for same price at say Alton Towers or a similar venue?

Thirdly, attractions, how many shops and attractions have closed since last season?

Lastly, the state of our island roads, beaches, overgrown footpaths, would surely put people off coming?

But what would I know being an islander through and through...

More haste less speed

"" a shibuilding industry and use the rains to get there""

Shall we try ' a shipbuilding industry and use the trains to get there'?

Funny that should come up because I am preparing an illustrated talk about shipbuilding in the 50's in Cowes for a Heritage group

""Sorry Mike, a bridge will never happen.""

You are quite happy to see the Island die then are you?

Sorry, but that will not happen, the Bridge WILL be built and as I said earlier, the sooner the better.

Alison, you are so correct. I have travelled all over the world as a tourist. First Class reception at First Class venues.

What do I know about the Island? Yes ANOTHER 'ovener' I hear you say. What do I know? I know that when I was at school we had a very comprehensive train service which pretty well covered the Island and I was able to go to school at Ryde on it. I know that when I did my apprenticeship at Cowes there was a shibuilding industry and use the rains to get there. I know that the holiday resorts were packed, but even then the ferries had the same stranglehold they have now, but were not so wallet emptying.
And what have I seen in those seventy years? An Island of neglact. Neglecting to keep up with the visitor requirement.

Roll on the br

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
0130 0130 0130 0130 0130 0130 0130
0300 0300 0300 0300 0300 0300 0300
0500 0500 0500 0500 0500 0500 0500
0600 0600 0600 0600 0600 0600 0600

This is the Wightlink winter night time schedule Pompey/Fishbourne route, or 28 ferries with very few paying passengers.
We have often travelled "early morning" and these sailings usually have no more than 40-50 passengers.
On one occasion in January 2010 in that very bad winter, we were the only 2 people on a sailing from Lymington to Yarmouth at 9 p.m.!!
The point being that they HAVE to sail whether or not there are any people/vehicles and make a huge loss as a result.
Unfortunately, 90% of the population want to travel/holiday/work at peak times and when most others are travelling, so have to pay more.
Change your travel habits and pay less. Simple.
Sorry Mike, a bridge will never happen.

I've lived on the Island my whole life and have watched it's heartbreaking decline. As a family we holiday in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall etc and quite simply they do tourism better than we do. Attractions are more in keeping with the families of today and much better value. Sorry, but some of our attractions are tatty, dated and of no interest to the young families of today. You don't have horrendous parking charges
everywhere you go, and of course you don't have the added ferry fare charges. Millions of pounds to modernise and a fixed link are needed to regain the family market. Top tip to anyone who has family visiting from the mainland; use Tesco club card vouchers to pay for Wightlink fares, I haven't paid for a ferry in years, and no I don't work there.

Its not the ferries fault...the price has not increased with inflation and living expenses over the last 20 years ( as said elsewhere)..what has changed is the tourists realising there is nothing here for them to do , no investment in tourism, , just a ramshackle dive of aging 'pleasure' parks, under invested beaches and a growing collection of delelict eyesores that nobody does anything about

In an ideal world, 1 boat per family from the Government would be good! Then we can travel when we like :D I agree that it's concerning that Wightlink and Red Funnel monopolise, and I'm not sure if theres any structure in place to ensure their prices are fair? Wightlink do however offer regular discounts, and I rarely pay full price for a fare, Red Funnel are slightly more disappointing, but sadly we don't have a choice.

The ferry companies, and energy companies and all should know we cant be pushed to stretch our dwindling budget any more. We face awful hardship already...tourism will indeed suffer...i struggle for fares to leave the island, my visitors baulk at the horrendous ferry costs. We are prisoners on the island really, and our young cant wait to leave...where will our economy be then? This should be reckined with now, rather than later!

In my opinion Red Funnell and Wightlink are to blame.

We have relatives who come down the island each year and they are paying more than ever.

If we had a bridge with a £4 toll per car that travels on it either way, with £2 of that going to the Island's road network and other local, beneficial island needs, we might start to get this island creating jobs again.

Time moves on. Bridge please.

John no doubt about it and the sooner the better :-)

@Mike Crowe: I doubt if that will ever happen Mike. Too many NIMBYs on the island!

Red Funnel have charged me the same price for at least the last three years, we came in the second quarter this year to avoid clashing with the olympics but will be returning to quarter three visit next year. The figures only seem to be looking at quarter three visitors. The ferries these days work out much better value than they did in the '70's!. Paid £35 per crossing in 1978 comparte to £51 per crossing in 2012. Fuel prices have a much bigger baring, less than 80 pence per gallon in 1978 compared to over £6 per gallon this year. Just traveling to portsmount or southampton is becoming prohibitively expensive now.

Be OK when we get the bridge John

I think a major reason has been left out of the list of "excuses". The cost of the ferries. Wightlink and Red Funnel have the monopoly on this and they can charge what they like. Visitors just won't come while they are being charged extorionate prices. We have - per mile - the most expensive ferry service in the world!

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.