The Island was, once again, badly affected by travel chaos this week with cancellations on both Red Funnel and Wightlink Ferries.

After a number of services were cancelled over the weekend by Wightlink, thousands of passengers were unable to make their planned trips on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday with many facing long delays to cross the Solent.

On Monday, Red Funnel vehicle ferries did not start operating until mid-afternoon due to a ‘technical issue’ with the linkspan at the East Cowes terminal which materialised the night before. The linkspan is the drawbridge which connects the ferry to the terminal, allowing vehicles to board and disembark the vessel.

Queues of coaches and cars arrived to board, both at East Cowes and Southampton, only to be told the ferries would not be operating until later in the day. There were also cancelled services on Wightlink with St Faith out of action.

On Wednesday, Wightlink operated a ‘last resort’ revised timetable on its Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry saying the absence of an essential crew member was to blame. A Wightlink spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this action will cause but we have been unable to source short notice cover for the absent members of staff and so have taken this action as a last resort.”

There was more disruption on Red Funnel yesterday morning (Thursday) when two crossings were cancelled for ‘essential maintenance’.

IW Council Leader, Phil Jordan, said: “We know how important this issue is and we are working with our two new MPs, which is a must. We need to work together to make this Government aware of our plight and bring in new regulation to get a better service.

“Operationally, I meet with the ferry companies every month and I am actively trying to encourage them to provide a better service for the Island.”

New IW West MP Richard Quigley, confirmed that he has already been in touch with Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh and her team to follow up on the pre-election commitment to ask the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) to investigate the cross-Solent ferry market.

He said: “The new government is prioritising plans to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation. As far as our ferries are concerned a reference to the CMA will form part of the solution, but not the entire answer, as the deep-seated problems are not related only to competition or market forces.

“The current situation is badly affecting Islanders and the Island’s economy. “There are some interesting ideas coming forward about how to tackle the issues, and I have asked the House of Commons Library to conduct some research for me, which I am waiting to receive.

“Getting to grips with the ferry problems is at the very top of my agenda.”

The floating bridge also remained out of service yesterday because the ferry disruptions delayed the arrival of service parts! An electrical issue has affected the service, which runs between Cowes and East Cowes since last Thursday (July 11).

Where were Red Funnel’s directors?

by Carole Dennett

Allegations that no Red Funnel directors were available when the linkspan failure led to a complete withdrawal of vehicle ferry services on Monday this week have gone unanswered by the company. Staff were left to face angry and worried customers alone, dealing with Islanders missing long-awaited hospital and other important appointments, and visitors desperate to get back across the Solent.

The IW Observer has received reports that CEO, Fran Collins, was not present on either side of the Solent. Operations director, Leanna Lakes remained at her home in Scotland, and commercial director, Lee Hudson, who was supposed to be ‘on call’, was unobtainable.

Similar allegations surfaced during the Isle of Wight Festival weekend when multiple crossings were cancelled. Mr Hudson stayed partying in the festival’s VIP area with other senior colleagues, while Ms Collins was not on the Island on one of the busiest weekends in the year, having given her own VIP tickets to Olly Futter, Head of Operations at Condor Ferries, and his partner.

We asked Red Funnel for an urgent statement on the allegations at lunchtime yesterday. More than six hours later, we had not received a response by the time we went to press.