Calls for government intervention over 'expensive and unreliable' Isle of Wight ferries

Isle of Wight ferry. The Red Funnel car ferry, Red Falcon, leaves East Cowes on the Isle of Wight bound for Southampton. Picture by: Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/PA Images Date taken: 21-Oct-2018 Image size: 3500 x 2223 Image ref #: 39245673
A car ferry leaves East Cowes on the Isle of Wight bound for Southampton. Credit: PA Images

The government must intervene in the provision of ferries to the Isle of Wight to improve an 'expensive' and 'unreliable' service, according to a local MP.

Conservative Joe Robertson told ITV News Meridian that “the status quo is not an option” because it leaves the island “reliant on private, unregulated transport providers for essential travel”.

Wightlink said it had invested £90m over the last nine years in its fleet and port facilities. Red Funnel declined to comment.

Mr Robertson, who represents the Isle of Wight East constituency, was speaking after meeting Maritime Minister Mike Kane at the Department for Transport.

  • Joe Robertson MP (Con) calls for government ministers to take action

The Labour minister has also held meetings with other island politicians over recent days, including the leader of Isle of Wight Council.

Cllr Phil Jordan said: "We need a change. I don’t think the government has the appetite for nationalisation at this stage."

The independent councillor added: "Much of [ferry company] profits are stripped away, upstream to investors, shareholders and taken in dividends or charged at high loan rates, instead of re-investing back into the companies.

"That’s why we see an ageing fleet of ferry boats that haven’t been renewed and should have been many years ago."

Labour MP for Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley, said he had made "very strong representations" to transport ministers and believed there was a "clear commitment” from government to “resolve the issue”.

Mr Quigley told ITV News Meridian: "Ferry travel across the Solent has become a barrier to opportunity both in terms of employment and school visits.

"I don’t want to get out of bed every morning and start a fight with the ferry companies… but it’s a huge issue."

  • Richard Quigley MP (Lab) says lack of cross-Solent travel means some residents feel 'trapped'

The chief executive of Wightlink, Katy Taylor, said: "We look forward to speaking with the Maritime Minister next week. Wightlink regularly meets customers to discuss services and find out how we can better support the Island’s communities and economy.

"Wightlink has invested £90m over the last nine years in fleet and port facilities. We are investing a further £8m this winter on maintenance including dry docking to keep all our vessels in good order and ensure future reliability.

"So far in 2024, Wightlink has run 98.7% of scheduled sailings, with 94% departing within five minutes of the published time. Even during Storm Darragh, only a handful were cancelled and around 18,000 people travelled with us."

All current operators of cross-Solent ferry services are privately owned companies. Credit: PA Images

The other major ferry operator, Red Funnel, declined to respond to our requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "Ferry operators provide a vital lifeline for those travelling to and from the Isle of Wight – particularly when it comes to accessing jobs, medical appointments and educational opportunities. "We know there are challenges affecting people’s ability to depend on these essential services, which is why we continually engage with stakeholders including MPs, ferry companies and the local council."

The Isle of Wight ferry market is operated commercially and is not regulated or subsidised by the government. The Maritime Minister is due to visit the island in January.

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