Late talks to save 180-year-old ferry crossing

4 hours ago

Ollie Samuels,North Westand

Paul Burnell,North West

News image — The Knott End Ferry service is due to stop operating this afternoon

Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry The Knott End Ferry crossing the brown waters of the River Wyre. It is a relatively small boat with a red bottom, white frames windows and a blue deck. — The Knott End Ferry service is due to stop operating this afternoon

Talks to save an 180-year-old river ferry crossing have been taking place, the BBC understands.

Wyre Council had said the Fleetwod-Knott End ferry service, which connects the two towns either side of the River Wyre estuary and carries up to 35 people, was due to end later because no "compliant tenders" to run it had been received.

A council spokeswoman said on Tuesday: "Discussions with the current operator are also taking place this week as part of our continued efforts to explore whether a plan can be agreed that would keep the service running."

Wednesday was due to be the final crossing of the service, which has been running since the 1840s.

The spokeswoman added: "The council was informed last week that the current operator does not intend to continue beyond this point.

"Since receiving that confirmation, and building on work already underway, the council has been working proactively and intensively to try to secure a way for the service to continue.

"This work has included market engagement, a formal tender process offering more flexible terms than the previous agreement and ongoing discussions with a range of interested parties

Reacting to the authority's Facebook post announcing the end of the service last week, some people described the ferry as a "national treasure", the loss of which would be "devastating" to the local economy.

General view of the ferry and the sea — The ferry provides a link between Fleetwood and Knott End

There has been a three-year campaign to save the ferry, which campaigners described as a "vital service" and a "solid piece of heritage".

By car, the journey of about 11 miles - which requires driving south and taking the Shard Bridge - takes about 25 minutes.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The Knott End to Fleetwood ferry is operated under a contract managed by Wyre Council and jointly funded with Lancashire County Council.

"Wyre Council recently carried out a procurement process to secure an operator for the service. "Unfortunately, no compliant tenders were received, and subsequent discussions have not yet identified a financially viable and deliverable proposal that would allow the service to continue beyond the current contract.

"Lancashire County Council has previously set out its intention to maintain its share of funding for the service over the next three years, subject to appropriate contractual arrangements being finalised by Wyre Council, and that position remains unchanged.

"Both councils are working together to explore what options may be available."

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