We hope you had a good Christmas.

Two important things to catch up on. First the Kidical Mass ride this Saturday 4th Jan, starting in Gunville. A poster is attached and so please share it with friends and family. Do remember this ride is for people of all ages. If you think you could help with Marshalling please let us know. It is easy and you will get full instructions.  The weather is looking good so what a great way to begin the year.

Secondly you may well have seen in the local press the announcement of a proposal from the Council to adopt several LCWIPs to become Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)*. They are now consulting the general public before they are submitted to the full council.  As you know LCWIPs are documents that show where cycle and walking routes could be developed when there is funding available. SPDs are additional to the planning documents for the Island and must be given due regard by developers and other bodies who apply for planning permission. On the Council website it states “they can be used as a material consideration when determining planning applications and help inform the design of new development coming forward.” It is a popular misconception, by some, that these routes will go ahead once funding is available. If opportunities arise there will still have to have to be more public consultation.

We would urge you to write in support of these proposals to try and make the Island a better place to cycle and walk. policy.consultation@iow.gov.uk  Please do not leave it to others. The consultation period will be until 5pm on Friday 17 January 2025. If half the membership wrote that would be over 100 emails which would send a very strong message.

See you on Saturday so we can personally wish you a Happy New Year.

*These are for E.Cowes and Whippingham, Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood, Bembridge, Brading and St Helens and The Bay.  https://www.iow.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/local-plan/supplementary-planning-document-consultations/

** Newport and Ryde LCWIPs are already part of the Council’s SPDs.