Karen from Wightlink confirms details of the planning permission secured on Wednesday evening. Ed
Wightlink Ferries is delighted to have received conditional planning permission from Isle of Wight councillors for improvements to port facilities at the company’s Fishbourne car ferry terminal. Members of the planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the scheme.
Work will begin in the autumn to install a new double deck boarding ramp to enable vehicles to embark and disembark more quickly and quietly.
These works at Fishbourne are an integral part of Wightlink’s £45million Investing for the Future programme.
The project also includes improvements to the terminal facilities at Portsmouth Gunwharf, which received unanimous planning approval from Portsmouth City Council last month, and the introduction of a new ship which will be the most environmentally friendly ferry ever to sail the Solent.
Safeguarding jobs
The investment safeguards the jobs of 143 Islanders who work for Wightlink.
Interim Chief Executive, John Burrows said,
“This is good news for Wightlink, our customers and the Isle of Wight.
“When our improvements are complete and our new ship comes into service in 2018 we will be able to operate our services at Fishbourne more efficiently with quieter loading and unloading, reduced traffic congestion and more capacity when people want to travel.”
Wightlink expects to announce more details about the project, including the new ship, in the coming weeks.
