Could there ever be a tunnel to the Isle of Wight?

"If you want to start an argument on the island, go into a pub and say, 'shall we build a bridge?'," says Jonathan Bacon.

The leader of the Isle of Wight Council is discussing a debate that has drifted around the island for centuries - the idea of a fixed link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland.

The idea resurfaced this week, after initial plans for tunnels in the Shetland Islands given council backing.

Does this mean there could be a tunnel underneath the Solent some day?

Bacon is in favour of a feasibility study into a fixed link but ultimately believes it would not be "practical" and thinks it is only distracting the island from the real issue - ferry travel.

The idea of a bridge has been mooted in the past - although the need to span the busy Solent shipping lanes means attention has largely focused on the option for an underground tunnel.

The distance between the Isle of Wight - England's largest offshore island - and the mainland varies.

It ranges from as little as 1.2 miles (about 2 km) at the shortest point between Hurst Castle and Colwell Bay, up to about 6 miles (9.6 km).

"It seems obvious that [a tunnel] should be [built] in this day and age," said Carl Feeney who has made it clear which side of the debate he stands on.

He has been campaigning for the "Solent Freedom Tunnel" for years, which he said would consist of two underwater tunnels created using a boring machine.

He estimates the project would cost "between £1.5bn - £3bn" but he said the crossing would have a toll and could "raise over £200m per annum with far lower operating costs than vehicle ferries".

Joel Smethurst professor of geotechnical infrastructure at the University of Southampton said a fixed Solent crossing is technically possible, but would likely cost several billion pounds and require a compelling economic case to secure government backing.

He said: "To persuade the Treasury to pay for this would require a careful case for the economic payback it might bring to the Isle of Wight and south Hampshire."

The Isle of Wight County Record Office said the earliest mention of a fixed link in its records appears to be between 1884 – 1888.

National Archives notes a railway tunnel from the mainland to the island was discussed as far back as November 1900.

The idea may have floated to the surface over the years but the main way to travel to and from the island remains the same - the ferries.

Bacon said the tunnel debate has ignited again because of the increased cost of ferry travel across the Solent.

"It is absolutely ridiculous what you have to pay for such an effectively short journey," he said.

He has joined other voices on the island who are calling for government regulation of the ferries.

The chief executive of Wightlink Katy Taylor said: "For me, the answer is not who owns the assets, it's actually just how you work together to make the best of it."

When asked about a fixed link for the island, she said it was a conversation for the politicians to have.

A Red Funnel spokesperson said: "Whether there should be a fixed link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland is ultimately a matter for residents and government.

"Given the nature of our role providing cross-Solent ferry services, it clearly isn't appropriate for us to comment further."

Moraig Lyall from Shetland Councillor said their tunnel, which is estimated to cost about £1.5bn, is their most affordable option, as all of their council-owned ferries and piers need replacing.

She called it "revolutionary" and pointed to the Faroe Islands tunnels, which opened in 2020.

The Faroe Islands network, stretching 6.8 miles (11km) long, connects the islands of Streymoy and Eysturoy.

Lyall called the Shetland tunnels the key to unlocking the "demographic" and "economic" growth that the islands needs, as they battle with a dwindling population.

The planned tunnels would connect Shetland's mainland to Yell and from Yell to Unst, so Lyall admits it is a bit different to the Isle of Wight proposal, which would connect the island to mainland England.

"All we are doing is linking one small island with another small island," she said.

Labour MP for Isle of Wight West Richard Quigley is undeterred and thinks cross-Solent connectivity must be fully explored, with a feasibility study.

He said he has lobbied the government and private funders to gather support for the study.

"It has become increasingly clear that the most likely route to funding is through a devolution settlement led by a future mayoral authority," Quigley said.

"In light of this, I have also written to all candidates standing for the Hampshire and Solent Mayor, asking whether they will commit funding to the study."

The Department for Transport said: "We recognise the vital importance of ferry services in connecting island communities to jobs, healthcare, education and loved ones.

"We continue to engage with operators, local councils, and MPs to help ensure reliable and accessible services for our island communities across the UK."

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