Passenger-only crossings to run on reduced service

Passenger-only crossings to run on reduced service

9 October 2024

JUST days before the Strangford Lough ferry service is suspended to allow essential heath and safety work to be carried out, details of how foot passengers will be accommodated have been finally confirmed.

Vehicle crossings will be suspended for five weeks from Monday to allow work on the £300,000 scheme, but there will be a passenger-only service.

The Department for Infrastructure – which manages the ferry crossing service – confirmed on Monday afternoon that the passenger-only service will operate a reduced timetable with the last sailing from Portaferry at 6.45pm daily.

In addition, it has been confirmed that a bus substitution for Assumption Grammar School pupils who normally travel on the ferry will be in operation and depart from Portaferry at 7.45am with the collection and off point to be confirmed.

There will be foot passenger sailings from Strangford between 7.30am and 11.30am and 2pm until 6pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 11.30am and 2pm to 6.30pm on Saturday and 9.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 6.30pm on Sundays.

Sailings from Portaferry are 7.45am to 11.45am and 2.15pm to 6.45pm from Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 11.45am and 2.15pm to 6.45pm on Saturday and 9.45am and 11.45am and 2.15pm until 6.45pm on Sunday.

The DfI says it recognises the importance of the Strangford Lough ferry service for local communities and understands the inconvenience the essential works will cause.

Ferry service users say the suspension will cause widespread disruption and inconvenience and hit them in the pocket as they face increased travel costs due to an 80-mile round trip by road.

Concern has also been voiced about the impact the suspension will have on workers, students, people attending hospital appointments in Downpatrick, businesses and visitors to the area.

Stormont DfI minister John O’Dowd says he understands concerns surrounding the temporary suspension of the crossing, insisting that no alternative slipways are available.

In a recent letter to Ards and North Down councillor Joe Boyle he said his officials were exploring the provision of a suitable passenger-only service for the five-week suspension, “subject to public expenditure processes”.

Mr O’Dowd also confirmed that given the numbers who use the ferry service as part of their journey to school, talks were ongoing with the Education Authority and Translink to explore the best possible transport option.

The £300,000 upgrade will involve the removal and replacement of metal rails and areas of concrete before a new surface is provided at both slipways which will benefit future customers.

The government department says while it understands the inconvenience that the essential maintenance works will cause, the timing of the health and safety improvements was “carefully considered”.

Officials say that following a review of passenger numbers, predicted tide times and the school holiday schedule – which includes a half-term break – the decision was taken to stop the service in mid-October to reduce disruption.

“Passenger numbers for July and August compared to October and November over recent years, show an average reduction in total passenger numbers of almost 40%,” the department said in a statement.

A number of local politicians have criticised the move, with several highlighting that the suspension will lead to a significant increase in traffic on an already very busy and structurally poor road linking Portaferry and Newtownards where there often closures to allow maintenance work.

The impact on businesses has also been highlighted by elected representatives.

Ferry service users have vented their anger and frustration about the suspension of the service with one describing the move as “simply not good enough”.

Further updates about alternative arrangements are available when at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/strangford-ferry-timetable.