Bestival to build a bridge to the future

Bestival 2016

Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th September 2016
Robin Hill Country Park, Nr Arreton, Downend, Isle of Wight, PO30 2NU, England MAP
£190 adult weekend (+booking fee)

Daily capacity: 79,999

Last updated: Mon 5th Sep 2016

The future themed Bestival held at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight, which returns this year from Thursday 8th until Sunday 11th September 2016 have announced that Solent crossings to the festival will be fast and cheap this year.

Festival goers can look forward to easy access to this summer's festival as organisers have confirmed that they plan to build a bridge between the Island and mainland for the duration of this year's festival.

The plan is to utilise the latest futuristic technology to construct a temporary structure in keeping with the futuristic theme. The bridge will link with the A3(M) on the mainland and connect with the east side of the island across the Solent a distance of just over 3 miles.

For Isle of Wight residents the good news is that they will be able to use the bridge too, as it won't just be for festival goers. If the bridge is a success there's a possibility of making the structure permanent. Currently the island crossing is the most expensive ferry crossing in the world per mile. A return trip with car and two adults can come in at over £100 during high season, in order to help pay for the scheme Bestival-goers may have to pay a toll-based fee. Proposed tolls would be £1 each way for festival goers, £5 for Islanders.

However there are issues and environmentalists are not happy with the news as there is the issue with squirrels. A bridge might allow grey squirrels in to wipe out the island's population of red squirrels. Red squirrels on the mainland have almost died out. But up to now the Solent has acted as a natural barrier to their grey cousins.

Bestival architect Rob Da Bank said, "Communication and fast transport is imperative for those heading into the future. I'm really chuffed that we have been given funding for the bridge and it's on the horizon. Following the budget news that the Government are funding high-speed rail and road projects, we managed to get funding for a bridge to link the two islands. I can't wait to be one of the first to cross."

The Cure, Major Lazer, Hot Chip, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, Mr. Motivator, Richie Hawtin, Ride, and Shy FX's Party On The Moon, are just some of the names on this summer's bill.

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