Red Funnel and Wightlink join Isle of Wight politician's plea to stop leisure visits in lockdown

PEOPLE are being urged not to cross the Solent for fun during the second lockdown.
Wightlink’s flagship Victoria of WightWightlink’s flagship Victoria of Wight
Wightlink’s flagship Victoria of Wight

The message has come from ferry operators, councils and residents – who are worried that people might use their extra free time as an excuse to take a trip to the Isle of Wight.

Residents on the Isle of Wight have started a campaign, calling for the government to give councils emergency powers to stop non-essential travel on the ferries.

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The IOW ferry group is asking for better restrictions to stop non-essential travellers on the ferries.

The campaign group secretary Mark Jefferies said: ‘Many people are expressing concerns that people will try and travel here like they did in the last lockdown, potentially spreading the virus to the island population.’

He said that as well as emergency powers to stop all non essential travel, they would like to see other measures brought in such as e tickets for essential workers, a temporary status brought in for the island to differentiate it from the mainland, and detailed logging of travel.

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He said: ‘Although we have relatively low numbers here, we believe taking the measure of controlling non essential travellers will control the virus better.’

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Ferry firms also moved to dissuade travellers from using their services.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, which runs services from Southampton, said: ‘I implore those who do not meet the criteria to travel with us right now, to please do the right thing, and stay home, stay local and stay safe.

‘We all have to stay the course and stay resilient – and that’s exactly what we plan to do at Red Funnel.’

Wightlink, which runs services from Portsmouth, said it agreed with a statement made by Isle of Wight council leader, Dave Stewart.

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He said: ‘The government has provided a very clear message about people continuing to travel for work and medical needs, but that travel for holidays and visits should cease.

‘We know that travel connections with the mainland are vital to the Island’s resilience and the wellbeing of its community at this time.

‘Food, fuel, medical supplies and materials need to be maintained, as does the availability of mainland healthcare; keyworkers travelling to support the community, and for commuters travelling to and from work.

‘The ferries also carry all of the goods we might purchase online while non-essential retail is closed. The Island needs to have services open for these reasons.‘The ferry operators are very active in working with the council to dissuade people from travelling that do not need to do so and this will be helped by the government’s clear guidance that people should not travel for holidays or to visit second homes.’

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A spokesman from Hovertravel, which runs services from Southsea, said: ‘Hovertravel does not have the authority to question passengers about their travel plans.

‘The company is following all current government guidance and continues to monitor the situation to ensure precautions are in place to protect its people and its passengers.’

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