Isle of Wight News

More than 70 driving offences were identified in the space of two days as part of proactive efforts to tackle offences on the Isle of Wight’s roads.

Wightlink's St Clare ferry remains out of service on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route today because of a technical problem involving two engines. Both of them have developed faults which we believe are linked.

Contentious plans for a new 7,245 square metre commercial and leisure park next to the Isle of Wight Airport have been appealed following a refusal last summer.

Wightlink's St Clare ferry has been withdrawn from service on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route because of a technical problem involving two engines.

New flats including a ‘starter home’ that was ‘designed with families in mind’ could be built on a residential road in the middle of an Isle of Wight town.

Thanks to the help of Dora, an artificial intelligent telephone assistant, average waiting times for low complexity cataract surgery for patients on the Isle of Wight have reduced from 35 weeks at the beginning of January 2024, to 10 weeks or less.

Blackwater based wildlife education trust Naturezones has been awarded more than £72,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Eight new electric vehicle (EV) charging bays will be built in an Isle of Wight town centre.

Councillors and residents have accused a developer of starting work on a major Isle of Wight housing development in breach of a planning condition.

A host of fire crews from across the Isle of Wight have been called to Blackgang this afternoon (Thursday).

Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has slammed the Government’s consultation about a combined mayor authority for Hampshire and Isle of Wight as “a shambles” and “an insult to Islanders”.

Contentious plans for a new 7,245 square metre commercial and leisure park next to the Isle of Wight Airport have been appealed following a refusal last summer.

An Island parish council with a “dreadful reputation” descended into a shouting match last night (Tuesday) over the recent resignation of its clerk.

Coastguard, police and ambulance teams have been called to the water near Ryde Pier today (Wednesday) following reports of a woman in the water.

A motion to support Isle of Wight farmers following controversial government tax changes has been tabled by the county councillor for Chale, Niton and Shorwell.

The sale of a former Isle of Wight primary school to a charity could move one step closer this week.

A supermarket on the edge of an Isle of Wight seaside town is to have 272 rooftop solar panels installed.

An Isle of Wight village’s tea rooms and garden could be converted into a three-bedroom house, with a smaller replacement tea room built alongside.

A 10 metre catamaran with engine trouble in a wind-swept Osborne Bay led to the launching of Cowes RNLI lifeboat yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, to be later joined by the all-weather Bembridge lifeboat.

Sandown's Broadway Centre has suffered structural damage following an incident that saw a collide with its wall.

A contentious bid to use five homes for parenting courses has been refused, with Isle of Wight Council officers saying there is no ‘local need’ for it.

An adult amusement arcade could be coming to an Isle of Wight town centre, in an empty building formerly home to a cafe.

A holiday park near a large Isle of Wight village could have 17 new lodges built as part of a phased transformation into an ‘upmarket and exclusive tourism attraction’.

A man in his 80s has been taken to hospital after a car collided with a kiosk in East Cowes yesterday (Sunday).

Four south coast hospices are joining forces with over one hundred others from across the UK, as part of a Hospice UK-led campaign to encourage you to leave a gift in your Will.

Isle of Wight Festival Promoter, John Giddings, has been handed the 'Festival Promoter of the Year' Award at the esteemed Fest Forum Awards.

Police have released CCTV of a man they would like to speak to following reports of a trespassing incident in Wootton.

A man has been jailed for three years for stabbing another man in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.

The first IW Amateur Theatre Awards Evening will be held at Northwood House on 14th March 2025, celebrating the thriving Island theatre community.

A vital Life After Stroke support service axed in budget cuts by the Isle of Wight Council two years ago is being revived, thanks to a new funding agreement between NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and the Stroke Association.

The Isle of Wight Green Party has said councillors are having to make “very tough decisions” amid “chronic underfunding” from governments past and present.

An Isle of Wight town council voted to keep its “vital” Beach Safety Project using funding from an increase in its precept yesterday evening (Monday).

Two teenage boys were arrested following a robbery in Binstead yesterday (Monday).

The Isle of Wight Council’s chair has welcomed an “essential” budget proposal for new Cowes-East Cowes Floating Bridge generators but said the council must “get on with replacing” the vessel.

An Isle of Wight community’s struggle to protect one of Ryde’s last farms will reach the second highest court in the country in hearings scheduled for early April.

A large, eight-bedroom house in the centre of an Isle of Wight seaside town could become a house of multiple occupation (HMO)

Key spending packages worth £13 million will be considered by the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet this Thursday amid ‘unprecedented uncertainty’.

Schools and businesses across the Isle of Wight showed their support for a very special cause on Friday (February 7).

Today (Monday) marks the start of this year’s Apprenticeship Week and the Isle of Wight Council celebrated by raising the apprenticeship flag outside County Hall alongside council staff, councillors and apprentices.

A proposal to build a new seafront café on the site of a ‘half-built eyesore’ in an Isle of Wight village has divided opinion.

“All we need to do is scare off the cabinet from making a decision on March 6,” an Isle of Wight MP has said in reference to controversial school closure plans.

Plans to use five homes for parenting development courses have provoked an outcry from residents and councillors of an Isle of Wight coastal town.

A conference dedicated to supporting children who have faced adverse experiences and early life trauma is set to take place at the Riverside Centre in Newport next month.

An Isle of Wight town council could be about to scrap its Beach Safety Team, which a seafront café owner has warned will “absolutely end in tragedy”.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced (February 5) that several UK authorities will adapt to 'devolution'.

An Isle of Wight pub’s major redecoration plans and proposed name change have been shelved following opposition from a local parish council.

SpaMedica, the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS cataract surgery, is opening a new cataract clinic on the Isle of Wight.

The gaping divide between Island MPs on the government’s devolution vision shows no signs of narrowing following news of delayed Isle of Wight elections.

Liz Earle has announced the closure of its head office in Ryde, with staff redundancies set to follow.

The leader of the Isle of Wight Council has defended the Island’s inclusion in the government’s fast track devolution plans in the face of doubt over County Hall’s future.

Three ‘affordable’ new flats could be installed on the first floor of a once popular dessert shop in the Isle of Wight’s county town.

The Isle of Wight Council has unveiled its budget for 2025/26.

Isle of Wight residents will not be able to vote for new elected County Hall representatives until May 2026 as part of government devolution plans.

A three-bedroom house with rooftop solar panels could be built within the grounds of a neglected former Isle of Wight hotel.

A new scam warning has been issued for the Isle of Wight this week.

Blackwater based Naturezones Wildlife Education Trust has been awarded £72,400 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund awards

A man has been charged as part of a child sex offence investigation on the Isle of Wight.

An iconic Isle of Wight footbridge in a ‘very poor’ and ‘unsafe condition’ will be replaced – and the plans have been given significant support by locals.

Gurnard is the first area on Island to have its roads revamped with new sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) like raingardens and tree pits.

Timber groynes at Lake and Colwell Bay are set to be restored as part of a major Isle of Wight Council scheme to strengthen coastal defences.

A campsite next to an Isle of Wight village could be transformed into  ‘upmarket and high end’ glamping accommodation.

Businesses in Newport and Carisbrooke are being offered free water butts to help cut the risk of flooding.

A barn could be built at an alpaca farm on the edge of an Isle of Wight village despite permission being refused by the council just over two months ago.

An historic Weeping Beech tree, located in Newport’s Church Litten is to be removed after safety concerns were raised.

A 20 year-old man from Kent has been arrested in Ryde on suspicion of rape.

The Managing Director of Hovertravel is to leave the company after 15 years.

The owners of an ‘eyesore’ property in an Isle of Wight seaside town have failed to carry out improvement works despite being handed almost £8,000 in fines and costs.

Registration is now open for Walk the Wight 2025, as Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s much-loved fundraising event prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary on Sunday, 11 May.

Emergency services were called to a Wightlink ferry on Friday (January 31) after a man died during the a Yarmouth to Lymington crossing.

The opening of new £6.7 million, 11-room mental health facility in the Isle of Wight’s county town has moved a step closer after a ‘noise issue’ was resolved.

Residents of a large Isle of Wight village have hit out at a proposal for 27 homes, with one describing plans as ‘shocking, misplaced and reckless’.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has announced 90 more police officers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Leading trade unionists quizzed the Isle of Wight’s education cabinet member on Wednesday evening over five contentious school closure proposals and potential job losses.

The High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Graham Bliss, has attended Cowes RNLI Station to present its Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mark Southwell, with the first ever Maritime Volunteers Award.

The councillor at the forefront of controversial school closure plans faced a renewed round of questions from concerned Isle of Wight parents and campaigners on Wednesday evening.

A man has been jailed after burgling two properties armed with a baseball bat and a firearm in Winchester and Ryde.

A new report on retail crime released today (Thursday) by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reveals that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary provides the most effective police response to retail crime.

County Hall’s full council opposed controversial plans to close five primary schools, in a blow to the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet yesterday evening.

An Isle of Wight town centre could get eight new electric vehicle (EV) charging bays.

In a bid to gather more community feedback, extra drop-in sessions have been scheduled as part of the Isle of Wight Dementia Strategy review.

Further works to ‘enhance’ a luxury, seafront Isle of Wight hotel have been approved.

Thousands of pounds of health care investment will be needed if a proposed Isle of Wight housing development goes ahead, an NHS board has said.

A major Isle of Wight policy forum will tomorrow (Thursday) consider plans aiming to make suicide prevention ‘everybody’s business’.

A flurry of scam warnings have been issued for the Isle of Wight this week.

The first wave of acts has been announced for this year's Cowes Fringe event.

A grant from WightAID will make life better and safer for the visually impaired on the Island.

Isle of Wight based countryside management project Gift to Nature has announced two new sites.

Two prominent Isle of Wight councillors have lodged motions to be voted on at a landmark County Hall debate this evening (Wednesday), focussing on proposals to close five primary schools.

Part of a Victorian warehouse in the heart of the Isle of Wight’s largest town could be transformed into three studio flats.

A controversial bid to build a renewable energy park near a large Isle of Wight village has re-emerged with updated plans.

Island Roads is planning highway improvement work for two busy East Wight roads next month.

An Isle of Wight parish council is in turmoil after the shock resignation of its clerk.

Heavily criticised plans for a raft of new housing on the edge of the Isle of Wight’s county town have resurfaced.

A tribute has been paid to a man who died following a collision in Sandown on New Year's Eve.

Sandown Carnival have announced a re-scheduled date for their spectacular seafront fireworks display, postponed on New Year’s Day because of bad weather.

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School in Carisbrooke welcomed the chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Karl Love, for a special occasion last week.

After eight years of being closed, the Pan MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) is to re-open to the local community this weekend.

The Isle of Wight Met Service is forecasting heavy squally showers today with a hail and thunder risk, as the inclement January weather continues towards the end of the month.

Planning permission has been granted to transform Riverway House in Newport into a new GP surgery, marking a positive step forward for the long term and sustainable delivery of local healthcare on the Isle of Wight.

Heritage Action Zone funding from Historic England has given Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council’s Shaping Newport project the opportunity to install additional maps of Newport around the town at various entry points.

Almost 30 Isle of Wight schools have now signed up for a fundraiser to support 16-year-old Arlo Lambie, who has been bravely battling an aggressive grade 4 brain tumour.

Early bird entries for this year’s Round the Island Race are now open.

An investigation has been launched after a Sandown pharmacy was broken into and medication stolen this morning (Friday).

Isle of Wight communities are being encouraged to have their say on Southern Water’s proposals for a new water recycling plant at Sandown, as a public consultation begins.

Storm Éowyn is set to bring strong winds to the UK this Friday and Saturday and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging those near the coast to be aware of the dangers the stormy weather could bring.

Do you feel like your home is losing heat but you’re not sure why? 

Sainsbury's in Newport is to close its in-store café shortly with the supermarket giant announcing plans to cut more than 3,000 jobs.

Three men have been charged in connection with a break-in at the OYO Marina Hotel on Culver Parade, Sandown.

Four men have been arrested and two left in hospital following an aggravated burglary in Newport on Monday (January 20).

Hovertravel is reducing its services due to a decline in passenger numbers and increase in financial strain.

People who received treatment for cancer during April, May and June 2024 are being invited to share their experience in a National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES). 

A man has been charged with public order offences in Ryde.

Powder Monkey Group from Gosport has announced the acquisition of Goddards Brewery on the Isle of Wight.

An Isle of Wight primary school was locked down yesterday (Tuesday) after a man entered the site needing medical assistance.

More than 100 vehicles have been crushed by police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the first year of the force’s crackdown on the illegal use of e-scooters, e-motorbikes and more.

Storm Eowyn is set to hit the Isle of Wight this week, with winds of up to 80mph forecast for this coming Friday (January 24).

The Friends of St Mary’s Hospital would like to say a huge thank you to the island community for their generous donations, volunteering and fundraising efforts.

Carol Court, founder of Isle of Wight charity Ability Dogs 4 Young People, is set to receive national recognition on the BBC One Show this Thursday (January 23).

Land next to an Isle of Wight seaside village will continue to be used for dredging thousands of tonnes of material from a nearby harbour.

Island farmers and land managers are being encouraged to attend the Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2025, taking place on Thursday 27 February at East Afton Farmhouse.

Time is running out for residents to have their say in this year's budget survey.

A 37 year-old man remains in custody this morning (Monday) following a robbery attempt at a Co-op store in Ryde.

The Isle of Wight’s MPs have responded to a report highlighting a “dire situation” with long waits for essential Island health services.

A ‘half-built eye-sore’ in an Isle of Wight coastal village could be replaced with a newly built café.

Following the annual public consultation in October 2024, East Cowes Town Council has decided to increase the precept for 2024/25.

The Isle of Wight is a “postcode lottery” when it comes to young people accessing vital youth services, a Liberal Democrat councillor told County Hall yesterday evening.

An 80 year-old woman has been charged with attempted murder following an incident at a residential address in Newport.

A man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child on the Isle of Wight.

A popular Isle of Wight cocktail bar’s bid to diversify its offering with alternating mobile kitchens in its rear courtyard has been turned down by County Hall.

Artificial rockpools will be included in the reconstruction of a concrete groyne on Gurnard beach, creating essential habitats for marine life.

The Isle of Wight Council has stepped in to tackle the long-standing issues of the derelict Esplanade Hotel on Sandown High Street.

A man has been convicted of stabbing another man in Shanklin.

Five people have been arrested after police seized items including cannabis, drugs paraphernalia, a knife and two knuckledusters last week.

LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, has today confirmed that Cowes will be the first town on the Isle of Wight to benefit from a new banking hub.

Four new female bus drivers will take to the Isle of Wight roads this month - part of Southern Vectis’ drive to recruit more women into the public transport industry. 

Two new homes similar in shape to Scandinavian Longhouses could be built in an Isle of Wight seaside village.

A 27-house development could be built in a field next to a large Isle of Wight village.

The chairman of the Isle of Wight Council has called for an extraordinary full council meeting to be held to allow a debate surrounding potential school closures.

Police are looking for two men following an incident that saw a two-vehicle collision in Blackwater last night (Monday).

The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed its support for the comprehensive Isle of Wight Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2024-2029.

A bitter dispute continues to engulf the business of an Isle of Wight parish council, with fresh infighting following a recent meeting.

A petition protesting the possible cancellation of Isle of Wight Council elections due to be held this year has gathered over 500 signatures.

Isle of Wight police have been investigating a collision in Ryde in which an E-bike with two people on board collided with a pedestrian.

Southern Water says it is working with community groups and businesses to make sure the Isle of Wight’s sewers and treatment sites keep doing their job – and storm overflows are drastically cut.

In line with Red Funnel’s ongoing investment into maintenance and improving the reliability of its fleet, the company has affirmed that Red Jet 7 will now take its turn for annual refit following on from Red Jet 6, which returned to service early last month.

The Isle of Wight Council has successfully commissioned its state-of-the-art energy recovery facility (ERF) on the outskirts of Newport.

The Footprint Trust, a charity dedicated to helping Islanders reduce their carbon footprint, is looking for passionate individuals to join its Board of Trustees.

A proposal for three new houses in a field on the edge of a large Island village and next to the Isle of Wight National Landscape has sparked controversy.

A new multi-use games area will be built in an Isle of Wight seaside town’s popular play park and gardens.

Several key decisions were taken by County Hall’s executive yesterday evening, looking at issues from double yellow lines to vaping.

Isle of Wight buses will be given priority at traffic lights on major routes and fares for under 21s could be capped at £1 as part of plans approved by the council.

A motorcyclist suffered injuries following a crash in Arreton this morning (Friday).

There are ‘no plans’ to combine the Isle of Wight Council with other local authorities as part of a ‘once in a lifetime’ devolution opportunity, County Hall’s leader has said.

County Hall’s executive body has decided the Isle of Wight Council WILL go full steam ahead with the government’s controversial devolution plans.

Sandown Town Council had to close the accessible toilets at St John’s Toilets and Eastern Gardens, following a series of Arson attempts and criminal damage.

Joe Robertson, Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, has today (Thursday) called on Council Leader Phil Jordan and his Cabinet to reject the Labour Government’s proposal for a mainland-based Mayor with jurisdiction over the Island.

A former Isle of Wight chocolate shop building will once again be used for retail purposes following a council decision earlier this week.

A key Isle of Wight Council body has voted against proposals to move rapidly ahead with controversial government devolution plans this evening (Wednesday).

The Isle of Wight could see snowfall this evening (Wednesday).

There was a “staggering” increase in emergencies for the region’s air ambulance, as the specialist doctors, dispatchers, pilots and paramedics responded to 2,544 calls for help in 2024 — the most in a calendar year for the lifesaving charity.

The local NHS is urging local people to ‘help us, help you’ by using services appropriately during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

The deadline for entries to the 50th Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards has been extended by one week — until Sunday, January 12.

Isle of Wight people who care about the environment of their beautiful Island have just a few days left to apply for support from Wightlink’s Green Innovation Fund.

Emergency services have been called to Newport this afternoon (Tuesday) following a two-vehicle collision which has seen a road closed.

An investigation has been launched after a woman was knocked over in Ryde by two people on e-bikes who subsequently fled the scene.

A ten-surgery dental practice could open in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s largest town.

Ten key decisions are due to be made by County Hall this week.

It’s been a busy weekend due to high winds, heavy rainfall and other incidents.

A 175-year-old Grade II listed building in Ventnor collapsed after being hit by strong winds during stormy weather over the weekend.

Snows Isle of Wight is to close its Forest Road motor park next month, with staff set to be hit by redundancies.

Red Funnel has announced a programme of work will be carried out at its East Cowes terminal between 13 January and 12 February 2025.

Joe Robertson, Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, has today (Monday) spoken out against proposals which could see the Isle of Wight Council replaced with a new mainland-based authority.

Hovertravel's services between Ryde and Southsea have been suspended this morning (Monday) as a result of adverse weather conditions.

The Isle of Wight College is inviting people to its Open Evening specifically designed for adult learners on Wednesday (January 8), from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following a serious collision in Bembridge.

Residents on the Isle of Wight have another opportunity to have their say on proposed primary school closures.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following a serious collision in Bembridge.

Islanders are being called upon to get vaccinated and protected against flu and covid viruses by their local NHS.

The Isle of Wight Council has announced a series of initiatives under its 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Do you need financial support to set up a new activity that will support local families?

Four diverse community projects across the Island are set to benefit from major grants from the Isle of Wight Foundation.

With more than four million people crossing the Solent every year with Wightlink, it’s not surprising that some of them leave things behind on ships and at ports.

A three-vehicle crash involving forced the closure of the main road between Newport and Sandown at Arreton this morning (Monday).

A man has been arrested following a drug-driving incident on the outskirts of Ryde.

The chairman of the Isle of Wight Council has called an Extraordinary Full Council meeting to discuss the critical issues of devolution and local government reorganisation, as well as the potential for the local elections to be delayed.

The Isorropia Foundation has been awarded just over £1 million from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund.

The kind-hearted and beloved founder of an Isle of Wight charity has died following a battle with cancer.

NHS Isle of Wight is asking patients and their families to return any unwanted care equipment this New Year.

The Isle of Wight Met Service is warning Islanders of severe gales to see in the New Year.

Another popular late-night Newport venue has closed its doors.

The death of a woman in her 80s led to medical and police teams being called to a Shanklin home on Christmas Day (Wednesday).

Isle of Wight actor Anna Constable is looking back at 2024 as a year when she was acclaimed for her role in a ground-breaking play exploring masking, autism and mental health issues.

This winter, be among the first to sign up for an epic once-in-a-lifetime challenge in support of Mountbatten Isle of Wight — husky sledding in Sweden's Arctic Circle with the Lapland Husky Trail.

The promenade at Totland Bay, linking the Waterfront Restaurant and Widdick Chine has reopened - just in time for New Year's Day walks.

The Salvation Army has been given a festive boost this month, to help it ease hunger and poverty across the Isle of Wight - thanks to a donation by Southern Vectis.

The Isle of Wight Council’s housing service has teamed up with a local business to support the homeless this Christmas, with a donation of hoodies.

The Isle of Wight Youth Trust has gained more than £10,000 in donations and match funding after participating in the Big Give campaign for the second successive year.

Island Roads will resume its highways improvement activity straight after the Christmas and New Year holiday.

In an extraordinary find in the waters off the Isle of Wight, a mantis shrimp - renowned for its unique vision and hunting prowess - has been recorded on video, offering a rare glimpse of this elusive species thriving in UK marine waters.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal collision in Newport.