Yarmouth Town Council has called for a meeting with the boss of Wightlink following a spate of issues which it says have had a negative impact on the West Wight.
In recent weeks, the ferry company, which runs a Yarmouth to Lymington crossing, has been affected by a lack of crew and mechanical breakdowns, which have led to cancellations.
On some days, Yarmouth Town Council said there had been long periods where there were no ferries at all.
At a meeting last week, councillors agreed it was not good enough and issued an invitation for Wightlink chief executive, Keith Greenfield, to talk to them.
Councillor Steve Cowley, said he wanted the discussion so they could better understand what on earth they were up to with their ferry service. He said:
“It is having a negative impact on Yarmouth and its businesses, you cannot come over for a day because you don’t know whether you can go back or not. People cannot rely on it.”
Others agreed it was an issue for the entire Island and said Wightlink should not be allowed to run the service the way they were.
Town Mayor, Councillor Jamie Allen, said they could invite Mr Greenfield but was not sure whether he would turn up. He said the problem was it was not profitable enough to start up a competing business.
Wightlink has been approached for comment.
This is not a job for a parochial council, this is a strategic issue for the Isle of Wight council., transport effects the whole island , the service if you can call it that is poor at best, the island deserves a better way of getting to and from which will not be accomplished by varying companies that suffer huge and regular breakdowns, lack of staff or disruption of unknown causes.
And what is the Isle of Wight council capable of doing? Nothing.
And as for the MP, there are no words.
At least Yarmouth Town Council is getting media interest. Media is perhaps the most capable of shaming these companies into change.
Do they want to run this service at all should be the question?
I would wager the answer being no and the more they make it unreliable, the less people will use it.
I found a couple of weeks back that if I include my journey to Yarmouth, I can go via Red Funnel and end up in Mudeford not too far behind time wise…and cheaper as well!
Absolute disgrace Wight ‘tenuous’ link are.
I’m sure the Wightlink CEO is shaking in his boot that the tin pot Yarmouth Council have called a meeting .. Wightlink have become more unreliable Year on year, and now they Yarmouth Councils wake up .. God help us .. they always remind me of the old Dads Army comedy, all bluff and achieve nothing . Was only effective when Stuart Dyer was Mayor a long time ago ..
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