29th June 2010

Dear Isle of Wight Chronicle,

Re: Information Request iw10/6/28514. Appeal Ref. iw10/6/32127

I write with reference to your email dated the 18^th June 2010, in which you indicated your dissatisfaction in the initial response given to your request for information relating to the Red carpet in Newport. In accordance with council policy, I have undertaken a review of your request and reply, as an officer independent from the initial response.

Your request was for “a planning application for the red carpet that has been laid down in Newport town centre providing shortcuts for buses, taxis and emergency vehicles. Please can you also provide me with details relating to if / when the planning application was accepted.”, and, an initial reply request was sent on 18^th June 2010. This reply stated “A search has been undertaken by the Planning Service but, unfortunately, we do not hold the information that you have requested.”

You subsequently contacted the council on 18^th June 2010 stating “By the sounds of the reply received you are making out that the Isle of Wight Council does not hold any information relating to the red carpet or even a legal planning application and date it application was approved. This would then give me and others on the Isle of Wight the impression this red carpet is still illegal and any car or vehicle can use it without restriction”.

I have contacted all Council officers, who have had involvement with the Red Carpet in Newport to identify and locate all information that is relevant to your request. I can confirm that the initial response was correct as the Red Carpet did not require a planning application.

However, the council has powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to create certain orders, and the `red carpet' was authorised under this legislation.

Please find enclosed the two relevant notices for the `Red Carpet'.

The “red carpet” in Newport is currently covered by “The Isle of Wight Council (St James Square/St James Street/South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight) (Temporary Contra flow Bus Lane) Order No 2009”, which expires on 24^th January 2011. A permanent Order has subsequently been advertised for public consultation with a closing date of 5th March 2010; not to surprisingly a number of representations have been received and delegated decision report is currently in the process of being drafted for cabinet member approval.

Most of the information that we provide in response to Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by the Isle of Wight Council. The copyright in other information may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the information itself.

You are free to use any information supplied for your own non-commercial, research, or private study purposes. The information may also be used for any other purpose allowed by a limitation, or exception, in copyright law, such as news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the information in analogue or digital form, including on the internet, will require the permission of the copyright owner.

For information where the copyright is owned by the Council, details of the conditions on re-use can be found on our website at www.iwight.com/foi.

I trust that this reply satisfies your request. However, if you are at all dissatisfied with the way in which the Council has dealt with your request, and appeal, you have the right of further appeal to the Information Commissioners Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.(www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk).

Yours sincerely

Georgina Hazell

Information Access Officer