By Isle of Wight Observer
With everything going on in the world – nationally and internationally – it’s easy to miss good news locally. But last week’s news about the government’s £20 million investment in Vestas, as well as the launch of a new Large Structure Innovation Centre (LSIC), isn’t just good news for the Island, it’s fantastic news for the UK. And it puts the Island on the international map for research and innovation, as well as supporting skilled jobs for Islanders.
The Climate Minister, Katie White, visited Vestas to highlight the Government’s commitment to advancing wind technologies on the Island, with the site now recognised as the UK’s only dedicated onshore wind blade manufacturing facility.
That alone is worth celebrating, but alongside the investment, The National Composites Centre (NCC), part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the University of Bristol, confirmed that it has chosen the Island for its new LSIC, which will also be based at Vestas. Both announcements demonstrate a huge vote of confidence in the Island as central to the UK’s future green economy.
These are exactly the kinds of long-term investments that protect skilled jobs, create new opportunities for young people, and support the UK’s industrial strategy. It’s just what’s needed to ensure the Island remains a great place to live, work and learn.
On the topic of the government’s support for the Island, you may have also seen that the Department for Transport has now appointed the independent chairman of the new Cross-Solent Transport Board: Brian Johnson. This is the first time a government has established such a body, an important recognition of the challenges that expensive and unreliable ferry services continue to cause our community.
Brian brings extensive maritime experience from his time as CEO of the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), and in the coming weeks I will be meeting him and offering my full support as he begins this vital work.
While I know there’s no single solution, this is meaningful progress toward improving our ferry services, and I will do everything I can to support the board’s success.