Just before Christmas, Wightlink announced there would be changes at their FastCat terminal in Portsmouth from 5th January, as major structural repairs and maintenance commenced.
The work is expected to last three months and as the current boarding ramp will be closed, passengers will be directed to an alternative route to board the vessel.
However, it was also announced that due to the need to use stairs on the alternative outdoor route, no prams, wheelchairs or mobility scooters etc will be able to use the FastCats during this phase of the works.
Isle Access: Unacceptable to expect people to use car ferry
Isle Access, a user-led Isle of Wight charity committed to encouraging and promoting greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities got in touch with Wightlink’s CEO, Keith Greenfield.
The charity said they believed it was unacceptable to expect people using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or having other mobility issues, to use the car ferry at Fishbourne as an alternative means of getting to Portsmouth.
Greenfield: That route or nothing
In his response to the charity, Mr Greenfield explained that when planning the necessary works, they had to make the choice between using the alternative route to board the FastCat (with stairs), or shut down the service completely for three months.
He said,
“Thank you for your response. We are sorry that some customers will be affected by the essential building works at Portsmouth Harbour FastCat terminal from Wednesday 5th January for the next three months.
“This is the second phase of extensive repairs and maintenance, costing £1.5million, that will see the entire floor of the customer building at Harbour removed, reinforced and replaced. The building stands on stilts above the water which means the ground floor is out of use for all customers during the works.
“In planning the works, we considered two options, either closing the foot passenger service entirely for three months or establishing a temporary alternative outdoor route to the FastCat berth. The only route available involves two sets of stairs and is on the exterior of the building. We chose the second option as preferable to route closure for three months.”
Greenfield: Arrangement in place with Hovertravel
As many Islanders will already know, Wightlink have a good working relationship with fellow cross-Solent operator, Hovertravel.
Mr Greenfield explained that arrangements have been made for Wightlink ticketholders who have mobility issues, to travel with Hovertravel instead, with free transport from the Southsea terminal to Portsmouth Harbour interchange. He said,
“Our records show that two to three people use wheelchairs to travel by FastCat each day in winter. We are recommending that these and other customers with mobility issues travel by Hovertravel at this time.
“By arrangement with Hovertravel, Wightlink’s reduced mobility customers will be able to use their FastCat tickets on the hovercraft to Southsea. The Hoverbus will take them (free of charge) to the Portsmouth Harbour transport interchange for onward train and bus connections. Hovertravel staff will assist customers to board the Hoverbus.
“If hovercraft services are suspended because of bad weather, Hovertravel will arrange for Wightlink’s customers with reduced mobility to be taken to and from the Fishbourne terminal, along with their own customers which will also be free of charge for Wightlink ticket holders with reduced mobility.”
Greenfield: We have no alternative
The Wightlink CEO went on to say,
“While I acknowledge these arrangements via hovercraft may not be ideal for all our customers, we have no alternative but to carry out these essential works. We have decided to do this at the quietest time of the year to cause minimum disruption to everyone and to keep the service open rather than closing completely for three months.
“Providing accessible services is very important to us at Wightlink and I hope that you will recognise that we have done our utmost to accommodate customers unable to use stairs to continue to use the Portsmouth-Ryde route while this essential maintenance.”
One space for wheelchair on Hovercraft
In response, a spokesperson for Isle Access told News OnTheWight,
“We are really pleased that Wightlink has recognised the difficulties people with reduced mobility face and that alternative arrangements have been made to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the works being done at the Portsmouth terminal.
“As the hovercraft only has one space for a wheelchair it is important that passengers book in advance to avoid disappointment.”
Image: andreboeni under CC BY 2.0
