UPDATED: Hovertravel have been forced to suspend their cross-Solent service this morning (Sunday) as hundreds of people attempt to cross the Solent to compete in the Great South Run.
The only operational hovercraft available to the company, Island Flyer, has been pulled from service due to an unexpected technical issue.
The company announced yesterday that they intended to lay on an extra crossing at 07:45 for those heading to the popular event, but that will not be running.
No further information has been given by the operator.
An update is expected at 08:30.
UPDATE – Hovertravel services remain suspended, with an update to follow at midday.
UPDATE – A further update is expected at 15:00 this afternoon, according to the cross-Solent operator. Services remain suspended.
UPDATE @ 13:27 – Wightlink have announced that they will be running extra services this afternoon on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne car ferry route for vehicles and foot passengers. This will help Islanders involved in the Great South Run return home after the race and meet additional demand.
Car ferries on Wightlink’s Portsmouth-Fishbourne route were diverted to the Portsmouth International Port this morning because of road closures near the company’s Gunwharf Road terminal in connection with the Great South Run. A revised timetable is in operation. The service will return to its usual port from 15:00 this afternoon.
The additional sailings are:
15:30 – Portsmouth-Fishbourne
16:30 – Fishbourne-Portsmouth
17:30 – Portsmouth-Fishbourne
18:30 – Fishbourne-Portsmouth
19:30 – Portsmouth-Fishbourne
20:30 – Fishbourne-Portsmouth
Wightlink’s Catamaran service between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head is operating as normal – which will be a relief to those that were due to travel via Hovertravel.
UPDATE @ 15:35 – Following a 8-hour suspension of service, Hovertravel have announced that their timetabled Ryde to Southsea service will resume at 15:45 from Ryde and 16:00 from Southsea.
