The Isle of Wight Observer, published on 19th March, 1853, delivered sad news for fans of the proposed new railway. An academic paper by Alan Robert Doe, of Southampton University’s History department, published in September 2003, records how Lord Yarborough, one of the Island’s biggest landowners, opposed the scheme, and wrote to every MP complaining that the promotors of the Bill were not connected to the Island and that, because of its separation by water, an Island railway “could have no junction with the great trunk lines of the mainland and therefore could enjoy none of the advantages attained elsewhere.”

ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY.

The Bill to carry out the above scheme was rejected on the second reading by the House of Commons, on Tuesday, the 15th inst., by a majority of 41. Although we warmly advocate the scheme, and feel chagrined at its rejection, nevertheless we must submit “to the wisdom of Parliament;” and sincerely hope, that whatever differences of opinion may exist with regard to the measure, no animosities or bickerings will result therefrom. One good effect will doubtless arise from the propounding of the scheme, viz., increased attention will be directed to every description of vehicle, whether coach, van, or carriage, so that until we do have the Rail the public will gain in speed and convenience; and “The Road,” to maintain its position, must be so conducted as not to invite competition.

The Bill was supported by all the members of Government; but its immediate cause of defeat arose from the active vans among the Members of Parliament by the friends of Lord Yarborough, and its abandonment by the Members from the Isle of Wight; the merits of the scheme therefore were not tested, as they would have been had the Bill went into Committee.

The scheme will not however be abandoned, but it will be so altered as to exempt Newport, from which the opposition was raised.

It is most likely the Coast Line or a modification of it, so as to include Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Shanklin, Bonchurch, Ventnor and the Undercliff, will be brought forward next year, when the opposition from Lord Yarborough and the borough of Newport will be avoided; leaving it for a future period to connect Newport and Cowes.

We are not at all surprised that the scheme has suffered a temporary failure,. The lateness of the year at which it was brought forward; the great opposition which so startling an innovation must necessary provoke; the difficulty to enlist rational sympathy for a scheme if opposed to a few private interests; prepared us for the news which Wednesday’s post brought us – that the Bill for the Isle of Wight Railway has been rejected.