Anger over Strangford ferry service cancellation

1 July 2020

A LOCAL councillor is demanding answers as to why the Strangford ferry service was cancelled without warning at the weekend.

Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle said he has written to the ferry service and Stormont minister Nichola Mallon asking why no notice was given after sailings were suspended from Saturday lunchtime until Sunday morning.

Cllr Boyle said ferry users received a text message at 1.18pm stating that the service was suspended and a further text message at 3.26m stating that it would not resume until Sunday morning.

“Many people, including myself, would be very interested to learn from those in a position of authority, the reasons as to why this major interruption occurred, especially in light of previous

interruptions to sailings earlier in the week,” he said.

Cllr Boyle says the local commercial sector is even more under pressure because of an already significantly reduced service due to Covid-19

He said: “To have this service interrupted, without reason, for the best part of a day is not acceptable. The cancellation basically turns an eight-minute crossing into a road journey of 47 miles — the equivalent of an extra one hour 20 minutes journey time.

“I am reliably informed that information signage on approach roads in Newtownards, Downpatrick, Kircubbin and Cloughey did not state the service had been suspended,” he said.

“Those drivers hoping to avail of the critical service which should have brought them safely across to Portaferry, were forced to turn around and drive back to the point in which they should have been informed the service was suspended, before they were able to proceed with their journey.

“With the equivalent of £12m invested in ferry vessels and no service on a perfect day, particularly during the weekend in peak season, is simply unacceptable.

It is not good enough by any standards.

“I have asked the minister to look into what happened and for assurances that interruptions cannot be allowed to happen again.

“I also requested the previous timetable, in so far as is reasonably possible, is reinstated as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Boyle added: “The tourist season is upon us and facilities such as Exploris in Portaferry must be ready for business and opening at the beginning of July. Everything needs to be in place, including a reliable Strangford ferry service to cope with demand.”

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