A cross-Solent tunnel project between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could be one step closer to reality

Pro-Link, a group campaigning for the tunnel between the island and Hampshire have launched a private limited company in a bid to liaise with transport bodies on its plans.

Carl Feeney, CEO of Pro-Link, said the creation of the company would help “open doors to help to a feasibility study into the tunnel” which is expected to cost over £1 billion to construct.

Mr Feeney said: “Setting up a company allows us to open up conversations with transport bodies and to help present our case. We continue to remain in discussions with Isle of Wight Council and we’re still pushing for a feasibility study to be carried out.

“A tunnel would help to speed up traffic, I think authorities would be looking to fight over getting the tunnel in their area.”

The ambitious plans will consist of two long dual carriageway tunnels built underneath parts of Fareham and Gosport.

One tunnel would run from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight to a location between Warsash and Browndown near Gosport and another would connect traffic with a new junction at the M27, drivers would be charged £1 per trip each way under the plans.

However, Councillor Sean Woodward, the Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council slated the plans marking them as too ambitious.

He said: “Bridges and tunnels connecting the Isle of Wight to the mainland have been talked about for generations. Generally the Island's populace tend to give such proposals a firm thumbs down for potentially losing their distinctiveness as an island.

“I see no possible source of funding for such a plan and while admiring the enthusiasm of the supporters I believe the proposals have no prospect whatever of becoming reality both for the lack of funding and the logistics of construction through and under Fareham.”

The group have set up a feasibility study asking for resident’s views in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, more information can be found at solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk.