Funding boost of £6.5m to Isle of Wight ferries to keep providing 'vital' services

STRUGGLING ferry services serving the Isle of Wight are set to receive a £6.5m boost to ensure they can continue to provide 'vital' services throughout lockdown.
Hovertravel is among the ferry companies to be supported by a government subsidary of £6.5mHovertravel is among the ferry companies to be supported by a government subsidary of £6.5m
Hovertravel is among the ferry companies to be supported by a government subsidary of £6.5m

The cash will be split between Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel, which have all seen a drop in passenger numbers due to the pandemic.

It comes after a £5m subsidiary was given to the companies during the first lockdown last year.

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Following the announcement today (January 15) chief secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, said: 'These ferry services are essential to everyday life on the Isle of Wight, and this further package of funding will help ensure residents can continue to access healthcare and essential goods and services.

'It’s vital no community or region is left behind as we fight the coronavirus pandemic and build back better.'

At the end of March 2020 government temporarily suspended competition law - allowing operators to work together - so that essential food, freight and medical supplies to be transported between the Isle of Wight and the mainland.

It also ensured the ferries could provide transport for those who can't work from home.

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Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely welcomed the cash. 'Islanders can now be reassured that the ferries will continue to transport essential food, medical supplies and key workers to and from the island,' he said.

'I would like to thank the Isle of Wight Council for working with me to secure this funding and I thank Steve Barclay, the chief secretary to the Treasury, for responding so quickly to our requests.'

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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