“Ferries are a weak link and nobody seems to be able to oversee them, direct them or do anything” – that is the damning words of a senior councillor about the cross-Solent transport links to and from the Isle of Wight.
At a meeting of the Solent Transport Joint Committee, Councillor Ian Ward, as a representative for the Isle of Wight Council, asked transport strategists Solent Transport to raise the issue of the Island’s ferries with the Department for Transport.
While discussing a study on rail connectivity in the Solent area — which set out recommendations and a clear strategic case for improvements to the rail network in the South, but not on the Island — Cllr Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said links to and from the Island were vital but the ferries let them down.
He said:
“We don’t go anywhere without transport links and we have a significant investment coming into the Island which is really good news.
“However, we have one weak link between the Island and the mainland and that is the ferries — they seem to be a body unto themselves. Nobody seems to be able to oversee them, direct them or do anything.”
Richard Pemberton, principal transport planner at Solent Transport said it is a clear extension for the London to Portsmouth line to come to Ryde, so would keep it in mind.
Recently, trouble with Red Funnel has seen its website and online ticket services brought down by a ‘malicious attack’ and unexpected disruption to its timetable when boats were pulled from service due to mechanical issues.
Delays are common at certain times of the years as the numbers of passenger and visitors to the Island increase, but there are also cancellations in the winter months as Hovertravel struggle to operate in adverse conditions.
Connections, via foot or by vehicle, to the Island are provided by 3 main, private companies — Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink — who operate in the commercial market.
Despite many calls from Island residents for the government to step in to help regulate prices and services, only the Maritime and Coastguard Agency regulate the ferries to ensure safety and regulations are stuck to.
With the proposed rail improvements fixing problems in the transport links, Cllr Ward said he hoped people will use the services and the connection to the mainland.
The Island Line is set to undergo an update at the start of the new year, for 3 months, as new cars will replace the existing ones, a new passing loop at Brading will be built and platforms upgraded.
Another major £10 million regeneration has also recently been announced for the Ryde Transport Hub, as part of the transforming cities fund, which will see investment in Ryde Pier — further details on plans will be released in the near future.
Both Red Funnel and Wightlink declined to comment.
“However, we have one weak link between the Island and the mainland and that is the ferries — they seem to be a body unto themselves. Nobody seems to be able to oversee them, direct them or do anything.”
Absolutely priceless!
Spoken by the man who lumbered the island with the Floating Bridge that doesn’t do either and St Mary’s “Improvement” Scheme which isn’t!
The island relies too heavy on private companies. At least one ferry route needs to be island owned. I’ve been saying for a longtime about setting up a resident scheme to purchase a ferry route and run it on behalf of the residents of the isle of wight. What if all home owners on the island chipped in £5000 for an equal share in a ferry company? After all one ferry operator could be bought for a pound as it’s so in debt, we would simply take the debts over. We the islanders could then control our own ferry service.
it doesn’t have to be publicly owned, it just has to be publicly regulated. Richard Pemberton, principal transport planner at Solent Transport saying it is a clear extension for the London to Portsmouth line to come to Ryde, so would keep it in mind. is not good enough! nowhere near good enough.
So you wouldn’t like a small return on your investment or a say in how the ferry companies are run? Put up with what we have now then.
Time for the ferry companies to get a bloody good kick up the arse.
Interesting wightlink and red funnel both refused to comment.not surprised.
we do not need incompetent politicians trying to run ferry companies. This country thrives on private enterprise – we do not need a bunch of hand wringing do gooders and politicians trying to control private business – this is not china.
fed up with these idiots trying to regulate the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit out of everything – socialist clowns only need to look at history to see this crap doesn’t work.
Bob seelies brother is running one of them! So go figure .never get a bridge
You want a bridge?? The MP is fighting to stop the island being concereted over. If you dont like it here, go to the ratrace over the water.
No s**t Sherlock
Ok, valid points, but nothing we don’t already know, what we actually need are some solutions
The fact that the wightlight ferry doesn’t connect with the train at 8:30 for college students is shocking they have to wait half an hour and will get to college late. Something needs to be looked at
Annonamoys- the fact that students cannot get up and travel at the times stated by the ferry company is shocking – they need to be talked to – the world does not revolve around them