Lord Yarborough’s objections – 1852
Isle of Wight Observer October 31, 1852
THE ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY
This scheme, which till within about a week merely “loomed in the future,” now assumes a tangible shape, and calls forth public expression as to its merits.
A meeting was held at Cowes, on Friday, the 22nd inst., and the site chosen, and route to be taken by the intended line, met their approbation.
On Monday, the 25th, Ventnor held a meeting, and it will be seen by the full report in another column, that they were unanimous in deprecating Niton as the terminus in the south. They were equally unanimous in their opinion with regard to the desirability of a Railway, provided a more eligible site should be chosen for the terminnus.
The Railway Company are as anxious as the people at the meeting, that Ventnor should be selected as the destination of the Line.
Why, then, should there be a division of five or six miles from “the natural and obvious” place of destination? Because – and only because – “Lord Yarborough THINKS there are serious objections to such a Line,” and that he shall consequently oppose its passage through his estate! A confident opinion seemed to prevail at the meeting that the hasty judgement of his lordship could be overcome, and an influential deputation was appointed to wait upon him; and we heartily hope they may be successful. Be that as it may: we cannot however see the justice of the proposition, that one gentleman’s opinion should over-rule that of upwards of two thousand, especially in a matter of such practical importance as the question at issue; and if such opinion be persisted in by his lordship, the consequences to Ventnor and Bonchurch will be serious, if not ruinous.
A meeting is advertised to take place at the Town Hall, Ryde, on the 5th of November, for the purpose of taking into consideration the Railways proposed in the Isle of Wight, and if a resolution should be carried in favour of the adoption of a Rail, a committee ought to be formed to co-operate with the Ventnor gentlemen; as Ryde is particularly interested in a direct communication with the Undercliff, and the circuitous route at present proposed will prove inimical to its general prosperity.
ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY – We trust the inhabitants of the town generally will attend the meeting on Friday next, relative to the introduction of Railways into the Isle of Wight. A Rail there will be and it behoves the people of Ryde to strengthen the memorial adopted at Ventnor, to endeavour to induce Lord Yarborough to withdraw his opposition, so that the most favourable point of the Undercliff should be reached direct, instead of by the tortuous course at present proposed. Now is the time to put the shoulder to the wheel, for if our traffic be once diverted via Cowes, future grumbling will avail nothing. All prejudices should be sunk, and the question met on the broad principle, and not in eavilling spirit.
November 6 1852 – ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAYS
The meeting at Ryde is postponed till the plans, &c., of the promoters are divulged; and if it should then appear that the route of Niton is to be persisted in: a counter scheme will be brought out, namely the “Ryde and Ventnor Direct Line”. Mr Thomas Hellyer is engaged in making surveys, and reports, that a line could be laid down at a trivial cost, starting from Ryde Dover, thence through the flat country to Penny-feathers, coming out into the Brading Road at the cross road to Hill Farm, thence on to the marsh, leaving Brading on the right, coming out at the east of Mr Hale’s hotel, at Sandown, thence under the shore to the Gas Works at Ventnor. The whole of the materials for forming a wall, and filling in, are upon the spot; no engineering difficulties are presented; no property interfered with; and no beauties destroyed.
November 13 1852 – THE ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY – A petition against the above project is in the course of signature in Ryde. It is signed by many of the principal gentry in the neighbourhood.
