The Department for Transport has announced the appointment of prominent UK maritime figure and former Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Brian Johnson CBE, as the independent chair of the newly formed Cross-Solent Transport Group.
It marks the first time the Government has directly appointed someone to oversee improvements to the Isle of Wight’s ferry services.
Brian Johnson brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having served as Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in overseeing maritime regulation and ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance across the sector.
The creation of the Cross-Solent Transport Group follows the Government’s recognition of longstanding concerns over the pricing and frequency of cross-Solent ferries. In January 2025, the Prime Minister stated during PMQs that ferry services to and from the Isle of Wight “simply have not been good enough”.
Richard Quigley MP has welcomed the appointment, made by Maritime Minister Keir Mather MP, as a clear sign that the Government is taking the issue seriously after years of inaction.
Richard has said:
“After tireless efforts to engage with the government and the Department for Transport, this feels like a major step forward. We cannot afford to be complacent, but appointing Brian, someone with a proven and successful track record in maritime regulation, shows that the government is listening to the island’s concerns.
“I look forward to working with Brian and the wider group to ensure our community’s voice is heard and that we finally secure the improvements we need.”
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Joe Robertson MP has said:
“It has taken 9 long months for the Government to appoint a Chair of the Cross Solent Group for ferries.
“I look forward to finally moving forward with detailed discussions based on facts: namely, that ferries have got more expensive, less frequent, and less reliable.
“I am pleased that the Government remains involved. This is the opportunity for the ferry companies to do the right thing by Islanders and visitors alike. If they refuse, then the Government must force their hand by creating regulations”.
[…] GOVERNMENT APPOINTS MARITIME FIGURE AS CHAIR OF CROSS-SOLENT TRANSPORT GROUP […]
What it needs to say is…..
WIGHTLINK ANNOUNCES MAJOR REDUCTION IN PRICES FOR ALL ROUTES…
If only, no island resident should have to pay more than
£40 for a return ferry crossing.
Just another unnesseccary salary to pay.
All we need is a Bridge or Tunnel, in the meantime
cheapr fares would be nice.
Just build the tunnel and be done with it.Get the Island back on the map with tourism and business again before Wastelink and fraud funnel destroy it for good…
Business and opportunities on the island would bloom,
property prices would also go up.
A fixed link? Absolutely – I’m with you there. We need fair play for everyone. I’m sick of hearing about our traveller friends complaining that it’s too expensive to come here and take over fields for their caravans. And don’t get me started on boat migrants. A fixed link would make it easy for them to be moved here to take up all our hotel space. Do wonders for hospitality, not to mention our local girls. As it is they’re stuck on the mainland – it’s not right.
If coming here was easier and cheaper think of all those weekend crims who are desperate to come over, have a quick robbery spree and nip back. Why is it OK for their right to work to be impeded by unreliable ferries? Then there’s all the aspiring holiday home owners who would love to be able to buy here with easy access. Mustn’t forget them, after all they help to make house prices unaffordable so should be looked after. What’s more, look at all these roads. Just sitting there with hardly a traffic jam in sight. Well, most of the time anyway. All that road space wasted. Underutilised is the word I’d use. A fixed link would certainly solve that problem.
Who wants to live on an island, huh? Only the selfish people who have chosen to live here already, knowing that it is an island. With a fixed link they can all push off and make way for mainlanders.
You also forgot there would be no road space for the boy racers anymore also how high the house prices would become making it even more attractive for retirees to move here and still have connections with mainland family.
That moat (the Solent) is there for a reason. Covid would have been far worse with a ‘fixed link’!!!
You paying for it with all the new roads and planning? Cost billions, take 20 years of planning before it would see a brick layed. Hampshire people would oppose it as their roads would be chock a block. Better the government invest in the island rather than waiting 20 years for nothing as it would be cancelled by future governments anyway.
You can imagine them laughing in Whitehall, this will shut those stupid islanders up and stop their complaints about the ferries, ha ha ha