Island Echo always welcome letters to the editor, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff.
Letter to the editor – 7th March 2023
“I am a season ticket holder paying Wightlink probably over £5000 per year for a passenger season ticket and additional vehicle crossings. The service remains utterly abysmal, with constant delays and cancellations and many suspicious boat maintenance, yet always seems to break down when few bookings.
“I pay nearly £100 per month for parking at Ryde Pier Head, but when I arrived today yet again there were absolutely no spaces – it’s utterly rammed, combined with contractor vehicles, and dozens of bays taken up with porta cabins making parking even harder. I have to pay for parking again in Ryde and got absolutely soaked.
Article continues below this advertisement “I like many dozens of commuters and people seeking better transport for medical appointments on the mainland I have emailed, and written to our MP and got absolutely nothing at all. If there is a photo opportunity he is like a stain on a carpet and can’t get rid of him, yet anything to improve Islander’s life he is stone deaf.
“Wightlink is a business, which people appreciate, but when you pay massive prices, you expect the boats to actually run on time and a basic level of service. Wightlink seems absolutely determined to make Island life as hard as possible, and you wonder why you can’t get a dentist appointment on the Island as the few that commuted have given up, too expensive and unreliable.
“The same is heading to doctors and nurses, Island towns are ghost towns, businesses boarded up, shops closed. People who were commutting have simply given up and moved back to the mainland.
“Its a tough one to call, do I uproot kids from school, take the wife away from friends and elderly family members and moved back to the mainland, or is there any hope our utterly useless MPs might actually pull their fingers out?”
David Turner
East Cowes
Hear hear to all of that!
In the early 2000’s I used the sea cat for two years everyday for work. It was very very rare to have a cancellation and when it did happen it was because of weather. I would say I had more issues with trains than the ferry. A couple years ago I had to use it again for work but luckily just once a week. It was a nightmare. I can only guess how bad it is now. As I have said before, I know a few that have moved to the mainland (including their family) because they could no longer reliably get to work. And by doing so they also saved a lot of money. These ferry companies are killing the island.
The vast majority do not want a fixed link, however the current providers of transport are Forcing people to suggest a fixed link because they are terrible in service, attitude, reliability and cost. However there is absolutely no chance in the next 100 years of a fixed link and the current providers know that and are destroying the Island in the process and even worse they are being allowed to get away with it! In a word DISGUSTING.
They can’t build a lowered bridge between East Cowes and Cowes even for pedestrians. A fixed link, far more advanced and expensive project? No way it happens in our lifetimes. This country is terrible when it comes to big projects, just look at HS2. Our gov has a really “hands-off” modus operandi when it comes to urbanism and infrastructure: they do the bare, uninspired minimum often not following any of the best practices set by academia and worldwide industry. It slowly changes on local level with some city mayors and councils finally catching up with the concept of “cities for people” (and they have to be brave to make any change) but big projects like proper railway suffer from governmental indifference.
Fixed link people seem to forget that blockages of the fixed link will occur.
…as regularly happens on Hayling Island’s fixed link Bridge to Havant.
just look at the dartford crossing, similar in length to what would be propsed for the island , best bit of road for miles and well policied and served by road marshals.
How do you know the majori not want a fixed link, have you asked, I do not believe a survey has been conducted, all anyone wants is a fast reliable service which has not been provided for years, if it means a fixed link lets get on with it.
There have been more surveys than you can shake a stick at (metaphor). It’s common knowledge that a fixed link will not happen. We hope x.
Well said. Our MP is more interested in a frivolous bill in relation to Meghan and Harry than any real work.
‘The Stain on the Carpet’.
I’m liking that new nickname.
Yes i agree with David Turner regarding our MP Bob Seely being stone deaf to constituents concerns and complaints. I myself have corresponded by email and have only received generic replies or once a postcard.
Yes, he is like a stain on a carpet when it comes to any media photo opportunity. Only of recent has he been repeatedly posting on his FB page, and has become a proffesional self Trumpet blower !
Why does he not support his constituents concerns. ?
Is he fit to continue to serve the Island as one of our two MPs at the next General Election ? On his performance alone, I doubt so.
Great letter that I think mirrors how we all feel! I wish it would be sent to PM!
I think it is absolutely disgusting that this poor customer has been allowed to get soaking wet whilst parking his car and having to pay for parking. Surely Wightlink could have taxi standing b y for him he sounds so important.
i used to get wet on the walk to school. inconsiderate teachers never collected me from home!
Nobody tell him there is a bus from East Cowes to Ryde…
I recommend rightmove or zoopla for you
Red Jet all the way!
There just as bad and in some cases worse terrible company
Not wanting to say it- but a fixed crossing is needed with toll booths and ANPR each end to deter the very few Crims. Wouldn’t create traffic issues as Islanders would be going other way.
Wight link -every year they carry over 5 million passengers, 1.2 million cars and 200,000 freight vehicles and a turnover of £100s millions. Redfunell – operates approximately 18,600 Red Jet Hi-Speed sailings and 11,800 Passenger Vehicle Ferry sailings (2.3 million vehicles) each year. That’s also £100 million plus.
A fixed link would pay for itself within a decade and be profitable and permanent for 100yrs!. No breakdowns, servicing, or building new ferries at huge environmental costs of steal,oil, plastic etc etc.
Oh look another expert
It would not pay for itself in a decade!
But then they lose their millions in profit. Prolly giving sweeteners to ensure they sail unimpeded. Not to sound conspiratorial but that is the utter truth about how decisions get made… start the revolution…
love the idea of the fixed link paying for itself. i,m old enough to rember the dartford tunnel opening. was assured the toll would cease when it was paid for.hmm around 60 years down the line now. is it free yet?
Well said , fixed link please
This country can’t do HS2 and you think they’re going to do a fixed link for a little island? Not with this government and very probably neither with one that wins next elections 😀
Tories don’t build anything, why would you expect them to build a bridge?
Hello, your story is so similar to the ones on our fb group Wightlink Users – we now have a website which you may find of interest. Please join us.
What age are you? 5 ?.
Why not bye a fast speedboat David. You could be completely in control of your timing across – both ways – wouldn’t necessarily cost any more either. Probably take about the same time too !.
Join the Wightlink User Group. We are campaigning for a fairer ferry service. http://www.wug.org.uk
It’s the same with every single other outsourced & privatised service, be it: service utilities, medical or transport. Public Services guarantee minimal service levels & remain accountable. Private Monopolies are exempt from this & their sole mission extracting maximum cash from minimum service for profit.