Government refuses to take action over ferry services

The favoured way to improve ferry services by MP hopefuls has been ruled out by the government.

As ferry services and reliability decline while prices rise, East Cowes councillor Karl Love wrote to the government and Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, asking for regulation, particularly in view of recent service cancellations by Red Funnel. He described the current situation as “appalling” and described how it was damaging the Island’s economy and Islanders are “at risk from life threatening illness after residents are missing appointments and treatments”.

The reply from Lord Davies, the maritime Minister made clear that the government will not intervene. He said the Department of Transport thinks the cross-Solent ferry market is “functional, as it offers a range of services for Islanders, with multiple operators providing commercially viable routes, competing for passengers.” He also asked Red Funnel if everything was OK and said that his officials had “received reassurances from Red Funnel” that service levels would improve. Mr Seely has not replied to Cllr Love.

Two weeks ago, the IW Observer asked MP hopefuls for their views on how to improve ferry services. All of them said that regulation was needed under the current ownership model, but Mr Seely, tried to blame the IW Council for never having “a policy or even a statement of intent”. Mr Seely was an IW Councillor for four years and both MP and councillor for seven months. In November, he also said during a debate in parliament “The Island’s council has no powers over the ferries”.

Cllr Love said: “The Minister has got his facts wrong – most public transport services are regulated, but our lifeline ferry services over the Solent are just a free-for-all for the ferry operators. We need to get him to see sense. If the MP isn’t going to be more proactive then we need to work together and take action ourselves.

“For me this is all about equality, without regulation the government is allowing Islanders to be disadvantaged. Islanders are being discriminated against because we haven’t got the same opportunities of access to services, including employment and NHS treatment.

“Without public protection, the failing ferry services puts the future of our Island at risk including our economy.”