Wightlink Ferries have now moved into the next phase of their £45million ‘Investing for the Future’ project.
As well as a new larger ship being built, both Fishbourne and Portsmouth will be subject to major works at the respective ferry terminals to accommodate the new double-deck boarding ramps.
The ferry company have now announced a series of changes at their Portsmouth terminal as work starts.
No more Greggs!
The first item on the list of changes announced is the closure of the Greggs outlet.
The fascination with this particular outlet is something that mystifies OnTheWight, but apparently, it is very popular with passengers so could cause huge disappointment for those arriving at the terminal expecting to devour a pasty or sausage roll from Greggs.
Costa Coffee remains at the terminal, but will relocate to the ticket office.
No more standby lanes
One of the other big changes will be that the car park on Gunwharf Road (the one you pass on your left as you approach the terminal) will be used as a ‘customer vehicle holding area’.
The reduced capacity in the main waiting area means that there are not going to be any standby lanes available for customers who turn up having not booked in advance (or those who miss their sailing).
Re-book if you miss your ferry
Instead you’ll have to rebook and if not on the next couple of sailings, go away and then return 30-60 minutes before your sailing.
If you haven’t bought a ticket in advance, you can still turn up and buy one at the ticket office, but as above, if you’re not on the next couple of sailings, you’ll have to go away and then return 30-60 minutes before sailing.
Terminal closure
The last major change to look out for is the closure of Portsmouth terminal on 1, 2 and 3 November 2016.
Sailings from Fishbourne will be diverted to the Portsmouth International port (Cross Channel Ferry terminal).
Foot passengers will only allowed to use the catamarans from the Hard on those days.
The changes
Below are the updates announced by Wightlink this week.
- The Costa Coffee at Portsmouth car ferry terminal will be relocated to the ticket office and the Greggs outlet will be closed.
- Areas of the car ferry terminal at Fishbourne and Portsmouth will be closed off. Customers not travelling on the next sailing at Portsmouth may be placed in a customer vehicle holding area in car park on Gunwharf Road.
- The car park at Gunwharf Road will be closed to the public throughout the work, although customers with parking season tickets will be admitted. Alternative parking is available at Gunwharf Quays and Wickham Street car parks in Portsmouth. Parking spaces at Fishbourne car park will be limited.
- Customers who arrive more than 60 minutes before their scheduled departure will be asked to leave the terminal and return within the check-in period 30-60 minutes before sailing.
- There will be no standby lanes available for customers who arrive without a booking or miss their sailing. This means you must arrive with a booking or rebook if you are not going to catch your sailing as planned (you can rebook at the ticket office on arrival if you can’t contact us while travelling).
- On 1, 2 and 3 November 2016 our Portsmouth Car Ferry Terminal will be closed. Sailings from Fishbourne will be diverted to the Portsmouth International port (Cross Channel Ferry terminal). We will only accept booked vehicles during this time and foot passengers will only be carried on our catamarans from Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head route. We will be operating an additional overnight foot passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head.
Wightlink say,
“We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and will continue to provide a high level of service, reducing the impact of these works on our passengers as far as possible.
“Thank you for your patience and consideration while we make these improvements.”
Thanks to Isle of Wight Guru for the heads-up.
