Wightlink will suspend its Yarmouth-Lymington car ferry service from the last sailing on Tuesday 31st March 2020 until normal services can be restored, following the outbreak of Coronavirus.
Fewer people have been travelling on the route in recent weeks and numbers have fallen heavily since Monday’s announcement by the Prime Minister urging everyone to stay at home, unless they are essential workers.
There is room on Wightlink’s larger car ferries that cross between Portsmouth and Fishbourne for all the vehicles and people displaced from the Lymington-Yarmouth route.
The suspension will reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading to Wightlink staff based at Lymington and Yarmouth and further into the community.
Wightlink will also be able to concentrate vital resources on to its Portsmouth-Fishbourne service by using the skills and experience of some colleagues currently working at Lymington and Yarmouth.
Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:
“We know suspending the service will disrupt the travel plans of some customers and we apologise, but it no longer makes sense to continue operating a route with very few customers while exposing our colleagues to risk.
“We have plenty of capacity on our Portsmouth-Fishbourne ships to carry all the essential travellers who need to cross the Solent at this time.”
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Existing Lymington-Yarmouth vehicle bookings are being transferred to the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route. Customers can amend their tickets for free online or claim a refund.
Under the leadership of Isle of Wight Council during the COVID-19 crisis, all cross-Solent ferry operators are working together to keep the Island connected. Pre-purchased foot passenger tickets will be accepted on Red Funnel and Hovertravel. This includes rail tickets and season tickets.
Christopher Garnett, chairman of the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board, adds:
“The Board has been meeting regularly with the cross-Solent ferry operators to review the current and developing situation.
“The need to safeguard the essential mainland links and services for the Island remains paramount. But there will be adjustments to services and timetables to ensure our operators remain effective and robust during these critical times.
“In the light of this, the decision to suspend the Yarmouth-Lymington service is unfortunately unavoidable at this point, and we fully support Wightlink in taking this decision in the best interests of the Island.”
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, comments:
“We understand and sympathise with Wightlink’s tough decision to suspend one of its routes in these extraordinary times. No ferry operator would wish to reduce services unless absolutely necessary and we fully support Wightlink at this time. Red Funnel is doing all we can to maintain continuity for all customers across the communities we serve.”
The only reason Wight Link have suspended their service from Yarmouth to Limington is profits, however, all ferrys should be stopped except for frait.
They don’t give a four x for the safety of there emplyees otherwise they would not move them to other routes,
They think we are brain dead, up yours Wight Link!!
If you just commit to freight st Mary’s hospital loose a chunk of their workforce
They probably think you’re brain dead. I’ve never seen the word freight spelt as you’ve spelt it.
What is wrong with you? We’ve all been complaining for ages about stopping people coming over now they’ve cancelled some routes you’re still not happy! If it’s essential they can use the other routes be thankful for them trying to help. Yes there may be financial reasons but let’s face it why do you think loads of people and companies are still working? Because they need the money.
You can’t moan at them for keeping going then moan when they stop. We’re all in this together so stop finding fault in everything.
Couldnt agree with you more smithy well said.
Clare, you’re an embarrassment love. I’m calling you in on Monday morning for an emergency English language crash course. Repeat and say after me.. FREIGHT. Now spell it. Frate. No, no, no. try again. Fraight. Better, but still incorrect. Try LYMINGTON…. See me after class for some worksheets.
Typical way women are put down, whatever their views, by patronising use of the word ‘love’. Criticise what she says as much as you like, but don’t make her gender a male-put-down opportunity.
Here we go, another bloody snowflake joins the ranks.
Good decision Wightlink, for whatever reasons
Only suspended because they’re losing money. Nothing to do with safety! All services should be for key workers & frontline staff, freight & medical supplies only.
Stop people coming to the island for goodness sake .
unless the ferry companies are instructed to prevent all those who cannot identify themselves as a key worker from travelling, then they have no rights to demand that travellers identify themselves.
The ferry companies are not the police.
If the government said “Wightlink, Red Funnel, Hovertravel – you are required to visually see a photo id and a letter from the employer of a traveller that indicates they are a key worker, before permitting them to cross the solent. If a traveller cannot
provide evidence of key worker status, then you are to refuse them travel”………….
It would then be implemented in about 5 minutes after the respective CEO’s called their managers and said “no one passes the ticket barriers without proof of key worker status”.
Unless that happens, then none of the ferry companies will challenge anyone – they do not have the legal right to do so.
Completely agree. It makes absolutely no sense to continue allowing non essential people to move freely between the mainland and our vulnerable island residents when we are in lock down. COME ON BOB SEELEY TAKE SOME ACTION BEFORE WE HAVE PEOPLE DIEING HERE!!
That’s why they’re stopping running to stop people coming to the island! Be grateful who gives a f*** about their profits at a time like this.
So will this not escalate our food shortages? What now if the crew on the other routes fall ill, will they reinstate the Yarmouth route?
Are we allowed to go fishing to help eek out the bare shelves in our shops?
Yep I agree,all services should be stopped except for freight etc as apparently there are quite a few people coming down from London & surrounding area’s to stay on the island in holiday homes.Need to stop all services.period!!!
Please Clare before you send a pathetic comment make sure you can spell!!
Looks like her post has been removed obviously upset wightlink! We’re a democracy free speech etc so why delete it? Island echo why!
Looks like clares post has been removed. Obviously upset someone! Whatever happened to democracy and free speech? Explanation please island echo?
Point taken..
good but 3weeks late
If it was your business Clare you wouldn’t keep going so do us a favour and SHUT UP
My post was over the top I know, but I’m so frustrated about Wight Link and there pricing for Island residents,
However, thank you Wight Link for the service you provide, I do apologise for my comment and hope you will except my apologies..
People might shut up now about fix link
Hopefully they will lose so much that they go bankrupt
ken – prick – how will you get to and from the mainland without ferries if they go bankrupt?
I hope this clears up the fact that Bob seeiey said only essential people and key workers I suppose he means fuel food med supplies ambulances and of course nurses doctors who live on the other side as well as the services who bring food to elderly people on the iow Wiltshire farms and oakhouse these I agree with but not holiday makers we are in a lock down of sorts
Petition to stop Restrict all non essential travel on All Isle of Wight ferry and Hovertravel .Freight only travel on all car ferries
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/travel-restrictions-on-isle-of-wight-ferries
Except they’re not. Been told we can’t get refund.