POLITICAL COMMENT: ‘If you don’t have a plan for ferries, you don’t have a plan for transport’
Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Martin Tod has launched a petition calling on the Government to give Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the powers and funding needed to plan and improve ferry services as part of the region’s new devolved transport arrangements.
Mr Tod, who is Leader of Winchester City Council and the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, says the Government’s plans to give Mayors and combined authorities greater control over buses, trains and roads risk leaving out one of the most important parts of the region’s public transport network – ferries.
Across the Solent, ferries provide an essential link between the Isle of Wight and the mainland, connecting communities, commuters, businesses and visitors. Mr Tod says they must be treated as part of the region’s transport network rather than as an afterthought.
“Buses. Trains. Cars and trucks. But not ferries?” said Mr Tod.
“If you don’t have a plan for ferries in Hampshire and across the Solent, you don’t have a plan for transport.”
The Government has been transferring greater transport powers and funding to Mayors and combined authorities as part of its devolution programme, with the aim of allowing local leaders to create more integrated transport networks.
But Mr Tod says the current approach fails to recognise the particular needs of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, where ferry services are a critical part of the transport system.
“Ferries are not some optional extra here,” he said.
“For people living on the Isle of Wight and communities along the waterside, they are a vital part of getting to work, getting to school, accessing services and keeping our local economy moving.
“We need a properly joined-up transport system, and that means buses, trains, roads and ferries.”
Petition calls on Prime Minister to change course
Mr Tod and Liberal Democrat colleagues have launched a petition calling on the Prime Minister to ensure ferries are included in the Government’s plans for transport devolution in the same way as other forms of public transport.
The petition refers to comments made by the Prime Minister on July 30, when he said: “Soon, every local leader will have the power and resources to improve public transport.”
It calls on the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to work together to ensure that the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Combined Authority and its future Mayor have the powers and funding necessary to plan for ferry services.
Mr Tod said the Government’s failure to include ferries demonstrated a lack of understanding of the region.
“Because the Government doesn’t understand our area, they’re not giving Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the same powers to plan for ferries as they are for buses, trains and roads,” he said.
“That makes no sense.
“We have the Solent running right through the heart of our transport network. You simply cannot draw up a serious transport plan for this area and pretend that the water isn’t there.”
‘Give us the power to do the job’
Mr Tod said greater local control could allow ferry services to be considered alongside other forms of transport, helping create a more integrated network across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
He said the issue was particularly important as the new Combined Authority takes shape and prepares to assume greater responsibility for regional transport.
“This isn’t about Whitehall telling us what ferries should look like,” said Mr Tod.
“It’s about giving local leaders the power and resources to make the right decisions for our area.
“We know our communities. We know where the gaps are in the transport network. And we know that ferries have to be part of the solution.”
The Liberal Democrat candidate urged residents on the Isle of Wight, the Waterside and across Hampshire to sign the petition.
“We all know we can do a better job if our transport plan is allowed to include ferries,” he said.
“Now we need to persuade the Government to change its mind.
“If the Government really believes that local leaders should have the power and resources to improve public transport, then that principle must apply to ferries too.“The Solent is a road, a railway and a public transport corridor all in one. Our transport system needs to recognise that.”
The survey can be reached here