The issue of Isle of Wight ferry service was not only discussed on the Island yesterday—at the new Isle of Wight Ferries Roundtable—but also in Parliament at the Transport Committee.
It was the first time that Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP, has faced the Transport Committee since taking up the post. The purpose of the committee was to question the Cabinet Minister on the range of major reforms the Department for Transport is undertaking, as well as on wider strategic issues, such as decarbonisation across transport modes and road safety.
Shanker: Is the DFT doing all it can to help find a resolution?
However, the Labour MP for Derby South, Baggy Shanker, managed to slip a question in about Isle of Wight ferries. He said,
“Quick question as a Derby MP, I have noticed in the chamber the ferry service to the Isle of Wight gets raised several times.
“Reliability and pricing issues. Is the DFT doing all it can to help find a resolution to that issue?”
Alexander: I do appreciate how frustrating this issue is for residents of the Island
Heidi Alexander MP (pictured above) replied,
“So I am very aware of this issue as well, and one of the newly elected MPs, Richard Quigley, has raised this with me on a number of occasions, and I have already met with him.
“I do know that the maritime minister, Mike Kane is hosting a round table this week to discuss this very issue with the various ferry operators local elected representatives.
“I do appreciate how frustrating this issue is for residents of the Island, and I look forward to catching up with the maritime minister to understand what the outcomes of that meeting this week are this.”
