UPDATED 17.20

AMBITIOUS plans to extend the Isle of Wight Steam Railway into Newport Harbour as part of a regeneration project to turn the area into a 'cultural quarter' have been outlined by the Island's MP, Bob Seely.

At a packed meeting at Shanklin Theatre last night (Thursday), Mr Seely also voiced his support for plans by the steam railway to run into Ryde St John's station, which could kick-start regeneration in the area.

The meeting was jointly staged by members of Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF), the Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group (IWBRUG) and the steam railway.

It was staged as part of a public consultation process on both the future of Island Line and how Island Line and the steam railway could work together in future.

Mr Seely also re-iterated his support for extending Island Line into Ventnor during the meeting.

Proposals to extend the steam railway into Newport would see the existing line extended and crossing over Fairlee Road before running along the eastern bank of the River Medina into the harbour area.

The proposals follow on from the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling's announcement that branch lines shut in the 1960s could be re-opened.

*Peter Vail, general manager of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, said: "As a stakeholder in Island Line, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway will submit to South Western Railway a detailed response to their ongoing consultation process. Our focus will be on essential short term solutions that will see the Island Line service updated, improve and become more sustainable.
"We will be suggesting a number of initiatives where it may be possible to share use of our facilities and resources here on the Island. The Steam Railway have always made it clear that we do not have the resource or desire to take any level of responsibility for Island Line. Our focus must remain on continuing the successful operation of the Steam Railway.
"We do however see an immediate opportunity to extend our line into Ryde St. John’s Road, alongside Island Line. Many benefits have been identified for the Island Line, Island tourism, the local community and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
"If the opportunity arose it is in our long term vision that we would also like to see our line extended into Newport. However we are very mindful of the costs, technical and regulatory challenges. For this reason our present focus is firmly on our Ryde St John’s Road ambition."

For the full story, see next week's Isle of Wight County Press.