Major maintenance at Portsmouth Harbour’s FastCat berth means wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, parents with prams, and cyclists will not be able to board the service until April 2026, Wightlink has confirmed.
The closure of the North End berth gangway – the main access point for FastCat passengers – has led to significant boarding restrictions while essential upgrades take place.
As part of the project, engineers are replacing the pilings that support the structure and absorb the pressure of berthing. A temporary access route has been introduced, but Wightlink says it includes a steeper slope, narrow gangway, and several steps, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and pushchairs and bicycles.
Wightlink is advising those affected to use the Fishbourne to Portsmouth car ferry instead. Alternatively, Hovertravel has agreed to accept all Wightlink tickets throughout the works, offering a step-free option from Ryde.
The revised access arrangements will remain in place until the upgraded berth reopens in April 2026.
A Wightlink spokesperson has said:
“The Portsmouth Harbour North End berth is the main gangway for all customers boarding and disembarking at Portsmouth Harbour. To ensure it remains safe and reliable for the future, we’re carrying out essential maintenance on the gangway and working with marine designers to improve the berth’s design and structure.
“As part of this work, we’ll be replacing the pilings – these are the large supports that sit at the edge of the berth and extend down into the seabed.
Article continues below this advertisement “They play a crucial role in absorbing the weight and pressure of the FastCat during berthing, helping to protect the berth from damage. This is a significant piece of work, and we anticipate the berth and gangway being back in service by April 2026. This will entail a change to the way customers board and disembark the FastCat.
“During the works, this will include boarding by a steeper slope, a small number of steps and a narrow gangway on to the FastCat, which means we need to take extra care of what can safely travel on the vessel.
“Regrettably that will mean that Bicycles, Wheelchairs, Mobility scooters, Prams and pushchairs will not be able to use this revised method of boarding whilst works are taking place. For this group of customers our Fishbourne to Portsmouth ferry would be the most suitable means of transportation. Alternatively, Hovertravel will accept all Wightlink tickets, especially for those requiring accessible travel.”
This is outrageousand discrimination. Alternatives should be found regardless
Not everyone is able to get to Fishbourne.
Shame on you wight link.
Unfortunately we don’t get a choice.
That’s very bad service..I thought dead funnel was shit.