45-650: The Needles are a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30 metres (98 ft) out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, United Kingdom, close to Alum Bay and Scratchell's Bay , and part of Totland , the westernmost civil parish of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation. Built in 1859, it has been automated since 1994. The waters and adjoining seabed form part of
90-406: A capstone . (Cliffs with weaker rock, such as claystone or highly jointed rock, tend to slump and erode too quickly to form stacks, while harder rocks such as granite erode in different ways.) The formation process usually begins when the sea attacks lines of weakness, such as steep joints or small fault zones in a cliff face. These cracks then gradually get larger and turn into caves. If
135-411: A contactless payment system for tickets. In 2021, Tap On Tap Off was introduced, a contactless ticket-free payment system enabling capped daily fares. As of December 2023, Southern Vectis operates a fleet of 83 buses. In April 2006, almost all Southern Vectis buses were painted in a new 'Best Impressions' livery with two shades of green with a new logo and slogan, "the island's buses". This livery
180-426: A headland is eroded by hydraulic action , which is the force of the sea or water crashing against the rock. The force of the water weakens cracks in the headland, causing them to later collapse, forming free-standing stacks and even a small island. Without the constant presence of water, stacks also form when a natural arch collapses under gravity , due to sub-aerial processes like wind erosion . Erosion causes
225-470: A 12-month season ticket for bus journeys if they agreed to scrap their car. The company stated that five vehicles had been scrapped within the first fortnight of the promotion, and it had received around 6,000 enquiries. In 2011, Southern Vectis closed its garage in Park Road, Ryde . It is now the site of the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum though some Southern Vectis buses remain outstationed in
270-403: A cave wears through a headland, an arch forms. Further erosion causes the arch to collapse, leaving the pillar of hard rock standing away from the coast, the stack. Eventually, erosion will cause the stack to collapse, leaving a stump. This stump usually forms a small rock island, low enough for a high tide to submerge. Southern Vectis#Open-top buses Southern Vectis is a bus operator on
315-738: A dealer in Llandudno . In July 2012, a new £28m school transport contract was made by the Isle of Wight council with Southern Vectis. New vehicles, Optare Solo SR M920s were ordered and arrived in September 2012. Some buses were transferred from the Go-Southcoast subsidiary, Damory Coaches formed of Volvo B12Ms with Alieeze T9 Bodywork Registered MV02. New double deckers ordered from Alexander Dennis were delivered in January 2013. Southern Vectis' involvement in coaching had varied through
360-906: A number of new business practices. These practices raised the interest of the Office of Fair Trading who, in 1987, investigated the company and found their behaviour to be anti-competitive . It was alleged that Southern Vectis was engaged in "duplication", running buses immediately ahead of competitors' where routes coincided, and having their drivers lie in wait for competitors' vehicles in order to beat them to waiting passengers. In 1991, duplication tactics were seen again when Southern Vectis shadowed an Isle of Wight County Council contracted bus run by Norman Baker Taxis. In 1986, Southern Vectis acquired Newport bus station as part of their privatisation and refused competitors access to it. The Office of Fair Trading report, published in 1988, found Southern Vectis' behaviour to be anti-competitive. Southern Vectis
405-521: A self-drive van hire firm. It also bought two Ford Granada taxis, which it ran from the Cowes pontoon and began taxibus services which continued till 1989. In 2003, Southern Vectis started "The Pink Peril", a school service using a pink bus. In July 2005, Southern Vectis and Solent Blue Line were sold to the Go-Ahead Group and became part of Go South Coast . In April 2006, the network
450-610: A takeover bid of the parent Go-Ahead Group. The majority of shareholders voted to accept the offer in August 2022. As a result of deregulation in 1986, several competitors started and others increased existing services. These competitors included Gange's Minicoaches, Grand Hotel Tours, Island Travel (Cooke's Coaches of Porchfield), Moss Motor Tours , Seaview Services ' RedLynx and Wiltax of Shanklin. Island Travel and Gange's Minicoaches established routes between Cowes and Ryde . The newly privatised Southern Vectis responded with
495-707: Is subject to some speculation. A drawing of The Needles by Dutch landscape artist Lambert Doomer (1624–1700), made in 1646, depicts a rock formation with much stouter shape than that shown in Isaac Taylor's 1759 "one inch" map of Hampshire. The Doomer etching is contained in Atlas Blaeu-Van der Hem (published ca. 1662), which is in the Austrian National Library in Vienna . It is not clear from this drawings what transpired and whether Doomer
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#1732788041680540-523: The BBC Two TV programme Seven Natural Wonders (2005) as one of the wonders of Southern England . During Storm Eunice on 18 February 2022, the highest recorded wind gust in England was provisionally recorded at The Needles, at 122 miles per hour (196 km/h). LB&SCR H2 class 4-4-2 no. 423 (later no. B423 and 2423) was named The Needles after this landmark. The Needles lie just to
585-450: The Isle of Wight , founded in 1921 as "Dodson and Campbell" and became the "Vectis Bus Company" in 1923. The company was purchased by Southern Railway before being nationalised in 1969. In 1987, the company was re-privatised, and in July 2005, it became a subsidiary of Go-Ahead Group . In 1921 in Cowes , the company was founded as "Dodson & Campbell". In 1923, the company was renamed
630-537: The Shanklin railway station ) commenced operation. . Until September 2009, three tourist road trains operated along the seafront of three island towns, Ryde , Shanklin and Sandown . The services were run by Southern Vectis under contract to Isle of Wight Council. In April 2010, it was announced that the vehicles would be retired due to increased maintenance costs. In January 2011, the Dotto Trains were sold to
675-516: The Southampton to East Cowes Red Funnel ferry terminal; and from the Portsmouth to Fishborne and Portsmouth to Ryde Wightlink ferry terminal and Fastcat passenger boat terminal. An Open Top Christmas Lights Tour has been operated. One of the company's "Island Breezer" liveried buses took a two-hour journey past the most illuminated houses on the island. For the 2008 tour, a stop at
720-515: The "12" from Ryde to Sandown and the "7/7A" from Sandown to Alum Bay. Stops were at Freshwater Bay and Blackgang Chine , linking them with Ventnor , Shanklin , Sandown and Ryde . To get between Blackgang Chine and Brook near Brighstone , the service used the Military Road. The 2008 season began on 15 March and finished on 2 November 2008. Some changes were made. Route number "X40" was removed (although still displayed on buses). There
765-618: The "Vectis Bus Company". "Vectis" is the Roman name for the Isle of Wight. The buses were built by the London bus body builder, Christopher Dodson. In 1929, the company was purchased by Southern Railway and was incorporated as "The Southern Vectis Omnibus Company Limited". In 1948, Southern Railway was nationalised and then in 1969, Southern Vectis became part of the National Bus Company . In 1986, with deregulation after
810-507: The 18th century, HMS Pomone in the 19th, and SS Varvassi in 1947. 50°39′46″N 1°35′22″W / 50.6626968°N 1.5893269°W / 50.6626968; -1.5893269 Stack (geology) A stack or sea stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, formed by wave erosion . Stacks are formed over time by wind and water, processes of coastal geomorphology. They are formed when part of
855-514: The Battery along the cliff edge, using a road reserved for bus traffic. The Needles Breezer also has stops in Alum Bay , Totland , Colwell Bay , Fort Victoria , Yarmouth , and Freshwater Bay . Breezer buses are the only vehicles allowed on the road from Alum Bay, apart from those owned by National Trust staff or, by prior appointment, vehicles transporting disabled visitors. This is because
900-547: The Island from Culver Cliff in the east to the Needles in the west, and then continues under the sea to the Isle of Purbeck , forming Ballard Cliff (near Swanage ), Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door . At Old Harry Rocks (east of Studland and north of Swanage ) these strata lines moving from horizontal to near vertical can be seen from the sea. The shape of the lost Lot's Wife stone column, recorded as collapsing in 1764,
945-557: The Needles Marine Conservation Zone and the Needles along with the shore and heath above are part of the Headon Warren and West High Down Site of Special Scientific Interest . The formation takes its name from a fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's wife , which collapsed in a storm in 1764. The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck. The Needles were featured on
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#1732788041680990-544: The Old World Tea Rooms in Godshill was added for a complimentary mince pie and a hot drink. In 2009, the company ran the "Sailbus" during Cowes Week . There was decreased patronage due to new fares and the service did not run the following year. Southern Vectis has increased its fares in reflection of its strong market position and lack of effective competition. Southern Vectis fares have also reflected
1035-467: The Shanklin Pony. In 2008, after its sale to Go-Ahead Group , Southern Vectis competed directly with the Isle of Wight Council 's Wightbus school services, duplicating routes and claiming term ticket fees for student passengers from the council. In September 2010, the council engaged Southern Vectis to operate many school bus routes. Services began in 2012 under Vectis Blue; under the terms of
1080-669: The South Street bus stop in Newport, until their service discontinued. Southern Vectis started to franchise its routes . For instance, Southern Vectis franchised Solent Blue Line routes to Marchwood Motorways ; the Newport Town Circular was franchised to M-Travel, and then the Alpha Group after M-Travel closed. The Traditional Bus Company and The Village Bus Company were franchised some open-top routes including
1125-647: The arch to collapse, leaving the pillar of hard rock standing away from the coast—the stack. Eventually, erosion will cause the stack to collapse, leaving a stump. Stacks can provide important nesting locations for seabirds , and many are popular for rock climbing . Isolated steep-sided, rocky oceanic islets typically of volcanic origin, are also loosely called "stacks" or "volcanic stacks". Stacks typically form in horizontally bedded sedimentary or volcanic rocks , particularly on limestone cliffs. The medium hardness of these rocks means medium resistance to abrasive and attritive erosion . A more resistant layer may form
1170-488: The beach. The Needles were a site of a long-standing artillery battery , from the 1860s to 1954, which was eventually decommissioned. A nearby site on High Down was employed in the testing of rockets for the British ICBM programme. The headland at High Down was used for Black Knight and Black Arrow rocket engine tests from 1956 to 1971. During the peak of activity in the early 1960s some 240 people worked at
1215-665: The complex, while the rockets were built in nearby East Cowes . These rockets were later used to launch the Prospero X-3 satellite. The site is now owned by the National Trust , and is open to the public. Concrete installations remain, but the buildings that were less durable have either been demolished or were torn down by the elements. In 1982, Prince Charles officially opened the restored Needles Old Battery facility. Underground rocket testing rooms are currently being restored for exhibition. The first phase of restoration
1260-449: The contract, the general public were not able to use them. In 2021, they were integrated into Southern Vectis. In 2009, Southern Vectis operated fifteen standard bus services, the most frequent being route 1, running every 7–8 minutes. Night buses ran on some routes on Friday and Saturday nights: Southern Vectis's "Open Top Tours" (orange and yellow livery) ran two circular summer routes to tourist destinations. In 2007, "Open top Tours"
1305-552: The four coastguard cottages owned by the National Trust . A branch of the National Coastwatch Institution is also based at the Needles, sited near the New Battery and Rocket Testing Site on High Down. The Needles – Landmark Attraction (previously known as The Needles Pleasure Park) situated at the top of the cliff at Alum Bay is a small amusement park. A chairlift operates between the park and
1350-486: The need to provide free transport to a relatively large population of elderly people who reside on the Isle of Wight . Students under 19, in full-time education on the Isle of Wight, have received discounted fares under the Isle of Wight Council 's Student Rider scheme. In July 2010 after cuts in funding from the UK government to local authorities, the scheme was ended. Island residents and visitors living in England over
1395-572: The neighbouring yard. Most of the fleet is now based at the Nelson Road, Newport garage, with other outstations around the island. Another former garage, at Pier Street, Ventnor , was put up for auction in December 2020, with planning permission granted for two retail units and 10 flats to be built on the site, but then subsequently withdrawn. On 13 June 2022, a consortium of Australia's Kinetic Group (51%) and Spain's Globalvia (49%) launched
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1440-551: The passing of the Transport Act 1985 , the business was sold in a management buy out . Five new operators entered the market on the Isle of Wight . In 1987, Southern Vectis started Badger Vectis in Poole , and Solent Blue Line in Southampton . The new operations used older Southern Vectis buses and second-hand double-deckers. Southern Vectis also moved into other business areas on the isle of Wight . The company bought
1485-477: The qualifying age or with a disability have travelled for free in the council area at any time of day, under the Government's England-wide scheme . In 2007, the Isle of Wight council reduced its reimbursement to Southern Vectis for free-travelling passengers from 76 per cent to 46 per cent. In 2009, concessionary travel accounted for just under half of all journeys on Southern Vectis buses. In 2010, free travel
1530-540: The single track road's position close to the cliff edge is considered dangerous for multiple car use. The Isle of Wight Coast Path has its westernmost point at the Coastguard Cottages. The Needles' pointed shape is a result of their unusual geology. The strata have been so heavily folded during the Alpine Orogeny that the chalk is near vertical. This chalk outcrop runs through the centre of
1575-429: The southwest of Alum Bay , and are a tourist draw. Scenic boat trips operate from Alum Bay that offer close-up views of the Needles. The rocks and lighthouse have become icons of the Isle of Wight , often photographed by visitors, and are featured on many of the souvenirs sold throughout the island. The main tourist attractions of the headland itself are the two gun batteries, the experimental rocket testing station, and
1620-574: The years; early in the company's history the firm took no interest in coaching, preferring to leave the field to other operators. However, the company became involved in coaching through acquisition and conglomeration. Some buses had previously been acquired from Fountain Coaches. The company had been assimilated into Southern Vectis when the National Bus Company rationalised in 1969. West Wight Bus & Coach Company and four of its coaches had been purchased by Southern Vectis in 1987. Moss Motor Tours
1665-413: Was changed with Newport the hub and other routes linking to it. Some routes, for example the "Island Explorer" were lost. However, the changes proved successful. Within 18 months, passenger numbers had increased by 45 per cent. This included a 14 per cent growth in fare-paying customers. In October 2009, Southern Vectis launched a website promoting a car scrappage scheme, which offered Island residents
1710-505: Was completed in 2004. The batteries are accessible by car, foot, bicycle, and bus. Though there is a paved road up to The Old and The New batteries, access is on foot, from a car park. The battery site becomes dangerous in high winds and is closed to the public in winds above force 8 . In the spring and summer, the Southern Vectis bus company sends open-top buses along a route called The Needles Breezer . This route approaches
1755-487: Was exercising artistic license . Doomer's painting shows three stacks when there should have been four, prior to the collapse of Lot's Wife . Just off the end of The Needles formation is the Shingles, a shifting shoal of pebbles just beneath the waves. The Shingles is approximately three miles in length. Many ships have been wrecked on the Shingles and three notable vessels on The Needles themselves: HMS Assurance in
1800-698: Was no stop at the Bembridge Coast Hotel or Sandown Esplanade. In 2009, there was only one morning and one afternoon journey each way, one of which terminated or started in Shanklin rather than Ryde and reached from Freshwater Bay to Yarmouth, but not reaching Alum Bay. Coaches were used rather than buses. In 2011, "The Shanklin Steamer" (to Old Village, Shanklin Esplanade, Shanklin Chine and
1845-506: Was purchased by Southern Vectis in 1994. Wightrollers' eleven coaches were purchased by Go South Coast in July 2011. Southern Vectis employed staff from the firm. The company has been involved in Isle of Wight events such as the Isle of Wight Festival and the Bestival . Additional buses were brought to the island. During the Isle of Wight Festival, extra shuttle services were run from Lymington to Yarmouth Wightlink ferry terminal; from
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1890-425: Was rebranded to "Island Breezers" (yellow and blue livery). Other open-top tours operated by Southern Vectis included "The Needles Breezer", "The Downs Breezer", "The Sandown Bay Breezer" (finished 2012). In 2007, an "Island Coaster" service started between Ryde and Alum Bay with a ten-pound all day ticket or longer period tickets for local residents. The Island Coaster followed the route of two former services,
1935-538: Was refreshed by Best Impressions in 2014 to incorporate a large green swoop towards the back of the vehicles, similar to the design of the Vectis Blue livery. Prior to 2014, most open-top routes had a blue and orange livery, with "Island Breezers" branding. This was revised in 2014, when the Needles Breezer received a blue, green and orange livery, reminiscent of Go South Coast's Purbeck Breezers. This livery
1980-459: Was restricted to off-peak times. On 17 March 2008, Southern Vectis ended several evening, night and Sunday routes. More details about the service cuts emerged soon after. On 1 September 2008, routes 27, 28 and 29 ended. In 2009, another subsidy decrease occurred. Routes 4 and 5, some journeys on route 6, routes 14 and 16 were withdrawn. In 2009, Southern Vectis staff went on strike for three days over pay. In 2017, Southern Vectis introduced
2025-538: Was told to either allow competitors to use the bus station or appear before the Competition Commission . Gange's Minicoaches, the plaintiff, was offered use of "Stand F" in Ryde bus station, and was also offered a stand in the Newport bus station. However, Gange's did not find the charges set for either station agreeable, and continued to operate from the opposite side of Ryde bus station on council land and
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