It is proposed that a ferry service between Ilfracombe and Swansea and between Minehead and Penarth is commercially viable and would be of great benefit to the communities on both sides of the Bristol Channel.

The prime demand is likely to be for car ferries, but, in the absence of the necessary infrastructure, it is proposed to commence with a passenger only service, with a view to adding a car ferry at a later date.

The initial vessel would be a high speed craft with a speed of some 35 knots and a capacity of some 250 passengers. (similar to the one pictured above)

The passage between Ilfracombe and Swansea would be under 50 minutes, and from Minehead to Penarth under half an hour.

The prime mover of the proposal is Mr Chris Marrow.

A team of former ferry managers from Scotland, a ship builder, a former ship owner and two sets of accountants have been assisting him; (not to mention two banks and a number of other interested parties).

The team is ready to operate the ferry.

Chris Marrow has had experience of pioneering new ferry routes in Scotland and in Africa and continues to support vital trade links in remote parts of Africa.

A Business Plan is being prepared and the financial calculations are at an advanced stage.

The results are very encouraging, and show that a break-even can be achieved by Year 3 on a modest and achievable load factor.

As part of the pre-feasibility, a study of bodies of water with similar geography and demography was made.

No similar stretch of water could be found that did not have an active ferry crossing.

The reasons for this were also studied and were found in the history of passenger transport in the Bristol Channel.

The plan has received the strongest possible support from the communities of North Devon and West Somerset and is perceived as a key to much needed regeneration, especially in Ilfracombe.

The project will allow for joint marketing in the two regions.

Potential customers can be expected from many different sectors:

o Tourism – on both sides of the water
o Shopping in Swansea and Cardiff
o Feeder service for the Irish ferries
o Students at Welsh and SW universities (numerous)
o Visiting friends and relatives – there are very strong family links across the water that date back many years
o Sporting links
o It has even been pointed out that the quickest route from Barnstaple to London will be by taking the ferry and catching a train in Swansea.
o Etc. The possibilities are legion.

The historic links between the two sides of the Bristol Channel remain very strong.

The road links between the two region are increasingly congested and carbon emissions by vehicles are increasingly perceived as a problem.

The service will require integration with land transport, be it by bus, rail or sail/drive.
Allowance has been made for the cost of Park ‘n Ride where required and for the subsidy of integrated bus services.

It is perceived as vital that the company should be firmly implanted in the communities on both sides of the water, and the active participation of the communities on the Welsh side is strongly welcomed.
Specialists in ferries and in marine operations in the remote regions of the world

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

PAYLOAD & CAPACITIES

PROPULSION

Main engines

Gearboxes

Waterjets

PERFORMANCE (with Ride Control fitted)

CLASSIFICATION

June 2007: Update on plans for a fast ferry on the Bristol Channel

Chris Marrow has just sent me this update...

“While it is clear that the optimum solution to running ferries on the Bristol Channel would be to provide car ferry services, that option can only be considered if and when landing facilities for car ferries can be provided. To expect a new company to fund such infrastructure costs would make it unlikely that a company could be funded, and to call on the public purse would mean delays that would place the opening of ferry services well into the future. see the rest of this article here ©north devon ferries