AHEAD of the cabinet meeting later today (Monday), further details and artist impressions have been released for the controversial Ryde Interchange project.

On the day the scheme is set to be approved, Phil Jordan ­— cabinet member for transport and infrastructure ­— has released long-awaited artist impressions.

Back in July, Ryde Town Council had called for the images to be released ­— to help the public visualise the scheme.

Cllr Michael Lilly previously said it was like a gun to the head, with the way the town council was being consulted.

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He said there had been a breakdown in communication apparent, between the Isle of Wight Council and the Ryde Regeneration workgroup.

He revealed it was difficult to visualise the scheme without any pictures.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr Jordan said: "Over twenty modifications to the original scheme have been made, and we have now made further changes to the taxi rank.

Isle of Wight County Press:

"This follows consultations with taxi drivers who expressed a preference for the rank to be located on the north side of the road, adjacent to the Rose Garden.

"I’m pleased to be able to say that having revisited the design, the same number of spaces as had been planned on the south side of the road will be moved and retained in the area of the Rose Garden.

"This also addresses the concerns of the business frontages on the south side who preferred to retain public parking along that frontage.”

Cllr Jordan hinted that South Western Railway would release their plans for the Ryde Esplanade Train Station imminently.

These will include new public toilets, two larger retail spaces and a cafe concession, following the potential demolition of those currently at Western Gardens.

The Ryde Interchange scheme is a government funded Transforming Cities fund project, led by Portsmouth and delivering £56m investment, of which £10million is being invested in Ryde.

The overall funding has attracted around £40m of private investment, alongside the £56m government grant.