We wrote last night about news we’d received regarding changes to the drop-service provided by WightLink.
Despite only writing to them late last night, they responded swiftly this morning with the following statement.
Wightlink can confirm that the Wightlink Board has undertaken a review of the Portsmouth to Fishbourne Drop Trailer Operation. The review focussed on a number of key issues, such as the available parking space and port congestion at peak periods, the number and nature of recent incidents involving drop trailers, the involvement of the Environmental Health Officer regarding the noise levels generated by this operation at Fishbourne as well as the impact of drop trailers upon deck space and turnaround times.
Consideration of all these issues has led to the Board taking the decision to phase out the drop trailer service commencing 31st January 2011. This will allow our valued business customers sufficient time to make alternative arrangements.
There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result from this business change. Wightlink intend to consult fully, both on a collective and an individual basis with the eight Tug Drivers directly affected by this decision, who will be given the opportunity to either leave the Company under a voluntary arrangement or to be redeployed within the business, initially covering positions that have been traditionally employed on a seasonal basis.
