Island Echo always welcome letters to the editor, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff. This letter comes as Red Funnel suspended its overnight Cowes to Southampton car ferry service on Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Letter to the editor – 15th July 2024
“This morning, the residents and businesses of the Isle of Wight were met with yet another disruption as Red Funnel announced the cancellation of their sailings. This incident is not isolated but rather a part of a troubling pattern of unreliability from one of our primary transport providers. The impact on our community and economy is profound, and it raises serious concerns about the dependability of services we rely on. “Furthermore, the alternative ferry service provided by Wightlink offers no solace, with charges exceeding £150 for a mere 5-mile journey. This pricing is unjustifiable and imposes an unreasonable burden on those who depend on these ferries for their daily commute and commercial activities. “The monopoly these ferry companies have over our island is holding us to ransom, severely affecting not only the daily lives of residents but also deterring visitors and damaging our tourism industry. The economic repercussions are harsh and far-reaching, stifling the potential growth and prosperity of our community. “As a committed advocate for our community and a business owner, I urge Red Funnel and Wightlink to reassess their operational practices and pricing strategies. Reliable and affordable transport is not a luxury but a necessity for the residents of the Isle of Wight. “I call upon relevant stakeholders, including local authorities and regulatory bodies, to take immediate action to address these issues. We need transparent communication, consistent service delivery, and fair pricing to ensure that our island remains connected and our economy robust. “It is time for a change. The people and businesses of the Isle of Wight deserve better.
Beverley Bell CBE (former Senior Traffic Commissioner)
Well said. Bob Seely got nowhere, though, after years of complaints. I wonder how the new chap will get on?
All those people affected yesterday really need to pipe up and complain through social media, the local media, their local MPs and to the RF. I think whenever RF cancel a ferry, it should be a breach of contract and monies should be returned. I book a certain ferry at a certain time for a reason. If that ferry is cancelled – they are surely in breach?
why don’t you read the terms and conditions and passenger rights – it clearly states If your sailing has been delayed by more than 90 minutes, you can choose to wait for the next available crossing, rebook and travel within seven days at no additional charge, or cancel your booking to receive a full refund.
when you buy a ticket with red funnel, you enter into a contract with that company and have agreed to the above terms.
is complaining through social media going to fix the linkspan …no it won’t, therefore it is nothing more than a lot of whining by people that actually achieves and solves nothing
Yawn..more hot air from someone that thinks having a few letters after their name somehow matters or adds any gravitas to the words
Think you can do the job better beverely…then step up to the plate or shut up
Which job would you have Ms Bell do? I don’t think they’re recruiting for CEO at Red Flannel.
preferably not the one she failed miserably at before, as nothing changed with ferries when she was traffic commissioner
Do you know what her job was Helen?
How rude are you!
What does having letters after your name have anything to do with it! ?
Beverley is making a very valid point.
I expect you have letters after your name but they aren’t repeatable on here!
Did you not think to do anything about this when you was traffic commissioner Beverly? No I didn’t think so. So really this makes you as much as the problem than the solution. It’s all well and good piping up when it’s happened but, you was in a position to do something and you didn’t. Pretty much like ever councillor on the iw council and every MP we’ve had. We can all talk the talk and write letters all day, (look at Bob) but untill something is done nothing will happen.
Beverly Bell was a senior traffic commissioner.
Just to clarify the role of a traffic commissioner..
“responsible for the licensing and regulation of those who operate heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, and the registration of local bus services”. She has never had any powers to take any action to regulate Red Funnel or any other ferry operator. Maybe take a moment to do a little research before posting next time.
I never said she had the powers to regulate RF or WL. However, as a traffic commissioner she reports to the secretary of state which in turn could highlight the issues the island face. I did do my research. Maybe you need to do a little more.
Well said !
Well why bother signing off this letter with this former title if It is meaningless to the letter in hand. VoR former kitchen porter.
How could she have done, it wasn’t her job,she was traffic commissioner
We don’t need any more hot air or waffle, we need a fixed link
When will people realise this?
In whose lifetime do you think we’ll ever see a fixed link?
Island Numpty’s are frightened of a fixed link to the real world
They might have to grow up and start acting their age and not be
so racial
go back to london gary – you aint wanted here
Here to stay, the Island needs our brains
Majority of Caulkheads are stupid uneducated B’stards
Hahahahahahahaha
Really? GO AWAY
I can hear the laughter in Westminster from here “Who? – “Quigley Mr Prime Minister”- who’s that? – “our representative on the Isle of Wight” – where’s that? – “a tiny rock off the coast of Portsmouth’ – He wants what? – “A billion pound tunnel sir” – Get him to send me a letter and we can have a laugh at the Christmas dinner…
Ten billion at least for a tunnel. Maybe direct a large chunk of the NHS budget so the Isle of Wight can have a tunnel. Or not. Never going to happen.
Yes we do, I’ve been saying this for years, without a permanent solution this island is done for! What happens if both ferry companies have “so called” problems and no ferries at all run??
There is no vehicle transport until such time vehicle ferries resume operations.
idiot – the island has been fine for hundreds of years without a bridge and will continue to be so
A fixed link? Words fail me at the idiocy at that continually proposed idea is. Let’s be reasonable. Generally speaking, the ferry services although a tickle expensive, are usually pretty much reliable. Machinery does go wrong occasionally. Red Funnel did well to fix the problem in the time it took. Again, generally speaking, these incidents are pretty rare considering the amount of crossings there are. When you look at the bigger GB transport infrastructure there’s ALWAYS going to be occasional disruption problems. That’s the price of living in jolly old England. Okay, so the prices are not particularly cheap but with a bit of care and foresight a reasonable deal can be had. Period. There will NEVER be cheap ferry crossings or a fixed link
Yep for sure, trains are always late or cancelled, buses break down and have to await another replacement bus, out are delayed or cancelled if caught out in a incident or traffic. Etc etc
The local authorities can do nothing, they do not come under a regulator so any hope of sorting out a private equity company that is a complete disaster for running a service, forget it. The only way is for the government to dictate what they are allowed to charge. That won’t happen.
Senior traffic commissioner
Lol
Didn’t know they exist on the island
Do something about speeding traffic on the island
I would rather the current commisioner voced their concerns.
Yes it’s time for a change, and the only thing that will make a difference is a fixed link, because nothing else can be done. The ferries are privately owned and have high running costs, so they won’t change a thing!
Never going to be a fixed link. Get that into your head. There is no economic justification for spending billions on a tunnel or bridge.
and our dear island drivers would have it blocked, regularly
What exactly are the responsibilities of a senior traffic commissioner? Could she perchance have been able to have some influence whilst she was in post? Now it appears she is reduced to writing letters, as any of us could.
I do wonder if Mr Quigley will be honest with us when the penny drops he can do little more than she has, or as our previous MP did. ‘Bring pressure to bear’. As far as I am aware, all our new PM has agreed is that the situation should be (as distinct from will be) referred to the Monopolies and Mergers commission, who will no doubt stare into the abyss for a while and eventually reply that, as the two major operators are ‘in competition’ there is no case to answer. Square one?
The only solution is for caulkheads to claim their birthright and become pirates again. They can storm the ferries and operate them for free. Fuel can be stolen from passing tankers and maintenance of the ferries can be performed by kidnapped engineers. You know it is the only solution. Perhaps Bob Seely could lead an army of native pirates given that he is now out of a job. His army skills would prove invaluable when storming passing boats. Someone get him a parrot, a wooden leg, and an eye patch. Aye aye Cap’n Bob.
It’s also affecting postage to the island and most items ordered online are asking £10-50 for a medium size parcel just for delivery or they don’t deliver here at all.
No they are not. Someone is scamming you.
As you well know Ms Bell there is no regulatory body for the IOW ferry’s , THATS THE ISSUE. yes there are maritime safety board but nothing like a traffic commissioner to punish a company for poor or lack of preventative maintenance, non compliance of timetable or fare policy. You of all people should know that when big business takes over transport the emphasise changes from service to profit. We have seen this time after time. Zeebrugge in the 70,s on the railway Potters Bar Hatfield and so on. AND how many coach operators did you chastise in your time. I operated my coach in West London and well remember Lagoona , Travellers and other accidents caused by big business cutting corners. The ferry’s need to be held to account .
I also think its a bit rich for you to complain about being inconvenient about a ferry cancellation. You run a consultancy. the definition of which is asking someone else to borrow their watch to tell them the time so they cant be blamed for getting it wrong. as you lived on the mainland as a tc please feel free to return there.