Country life
CHOICES AND CHALLENGES
By Sam Biles , Managing Director of country Estate Agents Biles & Co
The Island seems to be facing many challenges at the moment . Decisions need to be taken which will fundamentally affect our future for the next 50 years . Various issues include Transport , Health Care and Energy .
Transport is an emotive subject . Bigger ferries mean less-frequent crossings and more vehicles per trip . The impact upon those travelling is significant and heightened when there is a mechanical failure removing the only crossing in a period of several hours . Many Islanders now want a fixed link and perhaps the time has come for at least a fully-funded feasibility and impact study and an open debate about whether this is what we want or not . Welfare issues for farm animals heading on or off the island with ferry delays can be significant . With many aspects of health care now being addressed off the Island there is another debate to be had – with increasingly-complex and costly therapies being the norm many simply cannot be provided on the Island . Travelling to mainland hospitals can be costly , inconvenient and time-consuming .
It is very difficult circle to square – balancing the needs of patients with the location of healthcare services in a changing world . Difficult decisions have been made and will need to be made as we deal with an NHS under pressure and the increasing average age of the Island ’ s population . Energy is another area where choices need to be made . We don ’ t perhaps hear so much about Eco Island these days and whilst few would wish to see the AONB despoiled by lines of wind turbines it is to some strange that we don ’ t have a single example of a turbine when MHI Vestas Offshore Wind are here . The Island is surrounded by powerful tidal currents and several Island companies are developing new ways of harnessing this sustainable energy . We have great traditions of cutting-edge technological manufacturing here with the history of Saunders Roe ; Plessey / BAE Systems , JS Whites and BHC / Westland . The Island was very strongly in favour of Brexit and whether you agree with leaving the EU or not , the weaker pound has boosted manufacturing and exports . Perhaps this is where we need to focus our efforts to unlock skills and promote our Island even more as a centre of excellence for sustainable energy industries . www . visitilife . com 81