I’ve written to Wightlink in regard to evening passenger services.
Wightlink are reviewing their timetable – the current one is in place until the end of this year. I believe that there is strong public interest in ensuring that late evening Wightlink FastCat services remain on the timetable, to help Islanders who work late on the mainland or just to make it easier for people to get across the Solent outside of normal working hours.
I have asked Wightlink to retain late evening FastCat services in their 2024 timetable. I appreciate that from Wightlink’s perspective, sailings may be timetabled based on user demand. However, I feel that late night services should be part of the firm’s obligations, whether they are statutory or not. I want to thank all those who signed Seaview resident Harriet Hadfield’s petition earlier in the year.
In addition, I have asked the Council to develop, with me, a shared statement outlining what the Island should expect from the three cross-Solent operators. They have agreed in principle. I’m working on a draft and I hope that we will have a public version next month. I hope that this shared statement will apply to whoever is in power in County Hall. We need a joint approach, working together.
After that, I’ll be discussing a series of possible next steps, so the joint declaration will be the starting point, not the end point.
