The resumption of Wightlink’s FastCat foot passenger link between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head on Friday (31st July) will be welcomed in person by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Rob Wood and the Mayor of Ryde, Michael Lilley.
Both will cross the Solent to celebrate the reintroduction of the 140-year-old connection between the Isle of Wight and the mainland by ferry and train; it was suspended on Monday 6th April as very few people were travelling because of COVID-19.
During the pandemic, the 3 cross-Solent ferry operators have worked together with the Isle of Wight’s Transport Infrastructure Board, to ensure essential supplies reached the Island and key workers have been able to travel safely. While Wightlink’s Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry continued to sail every day carrying lifeline freight and essential travellers, Hovertravel carried foot passengers.
The Lord Mayor and Ryde Mayor will travel together on both Wightlink’s FastCat and Hovertravel’s hovercraft on Friday.
Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:
“Following increased demand for cross-Solent travel, we are delighted to start up our FastCat service again. We look forward to carrying day trip visitors to support Ryde’s economy and seasonal businesses as well as Islanders who want to travel to the mainland for business or pleasure.
“Our FastCats will be carrying fewer passengers than usual to assist with social distancing. There will be high standards of cleanliness on board and people will be wearing face coverings. Wightlink has been awarded the ‘We’re Good to Go’ mark by VisitBritain. This shows we comply with all Government and public health guidance and have carried out the necessary risk assessments.”
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, City Councillor Rob Wood says:
“Our connection with the Isle of Wight is very important to us. We are proud to be celebrating this relationship and recognising how closely we work together.
“This is our opportunity to mark the importance of good, strong and reliable transport links, celebrate these important anniversaries and underline how vital it is to continue to do all we can to help businesses to recover from this difficult period.”
Mayor of Ryde, Town Councillor Michael Lilley says:
“We are proud to celebrate 140 years of the historic train and ferry links between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head and 55 years of hovercraft crossings between Southsea and Ryde.
“We are grateful for both Wightlink and Hovertravel for their daily services, Covid-19 showed how important they are to Ryde’s residents and businesses. We have much to celebrate and offer in community spirit and friendship.”
pathetic 🙁
My God, it’s not the relief of Mafeking!
What what what! Guffaw!
Poor Islandline trains, running back and forth for 18 hours a day during the pandemic with a free service for everyone and not a word of thanks! But hey, well done to Wightlink for re-instating their service now that they know it will run at a profit…..bravo!
now provide normal service not a skelton one
jeez – anyone would think it was the second arrival of a deity.
Profit Before Service is that shower’s motto.