THE first plans for a £1billion tunnel linking the Isle of Wight to the Hampshire mainland have been unveiled.

Businessmen Carl Feeney and Kevin Price have put forward their preferred vision for the link between Titchfield and the Island.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Saturday, they hope their proposals will generate enough support to trigger a referendum on the Island.

And if that is won, they would then put together a team to draw up more concrete plans, which would then allow them to apply to the Government for some of £3.2billion in Regional Growth funding.

The 13-mile road and rail tunnel would stretch from land to the west of Titchfield Abbey, to land south of Brading Downs on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Price and Mr Feeney say the plans, which also include proposals for a monorail system on the Island, have been brought about to increase investment on the Isle of Wight and as a result of “exorbitant”

ferry prices.

A petition set up in support of the proposals has so far gained more than 3,500 signatures.