Discussions for a third, community-run vehicle ferry company have been quietly bubbling away for several years, but activity appears to have recently been ramped up.
What’s brought it all to light is that the latest Isle of Wight council Forward Plan, which was published earlier this week, specifically mentions it.
News OnTheWight had been told this was due to an admin slip up, this information shouldn’t have appeared on the Forward Plan as it’s all at such an early stage. The council dispute this saying, “There is a statutory requirement to publish the intention to take a key decision at least 28 clear days in advance of it being taken. The decision for this is earmarked for 11 November 2021.”
An Isle of Wight spokesperson told News OnTheWight,
“Discussions regarding a community ferry proposal are at an early stage and are still limited by commercial confidentiality.
“The timing of any Cabinet consideration of the matter is still to be confirmed.”
Call for support
The Forward plan states that Isle of Wight council Cabinet members will be asked to provide a letter of support for an Island-based consortium seeking to develop a new ferry service to the Island.
It adds:
“The consortium will be consulting the public and key agencies about the principle of the proposal and should a planning application come forward consultation through the planning process.”
News OnTheWight previously understood that the Mainland terminal would be at Portsmouth International Port, this also appeared in the CP article.
The official word
News OnTheWight has put a call into one of the main players of the consortium and is awaiting a call back.
Article edit
10.16am 8th October 2021 – Statement from council added
2.48pm 8th October 2021 – Council disputing info added incorrectly
5:57pm 8th October 2021 – Added IWC’s reason for disputing.
Image: Simone Secci under CC BY 2.0
