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Passenger gantry Wightlink have stated that they wish to build a passenger gantry at Fishbourne (and Portsmouth) to enable foot passengers to enter via a side entrance above the car decks. This means that such a structure would tower above the existing installation and rise 30ft above sea level, just yards away from shore. It is hard to imagine a structure more calculated to destroy the appearance of this beautiful creek
Dredging ...'Ferry operations.., are the major cause of the erosion on the east shore at the Boat House. . . and the frontages immediately to the east. POSFORD DUVIVIER REPORT 1994 When Wightlink submitted an application to MAFF to dredge 30,000 cu metres from the seabed in the estuary of Wootton Creek, the Isle of Wight Council was not notified. The effect of removing such a vast quantity of material could he enormous and drawdown of sediment from adjacent shores could accelerate erosion. The loss of archaeological remains in such an important site would he incalculable. But the secrecy and lack of early consultation with any of the interested parties (the residents, the Council and various environmental agencies among others) arouses suspicion. Wightlink claim that the dredging is only needed for an emergency, should the existing dock (or Linkspan) fail, in which case they would bring one of the small ferries into the old slipway. They claim this is to provide a 'lifeline to the Island'. Wightlink seem to have overlooked the large Red Funnel Ferries, which operate between Southampton and Cowes and their own regular service operating between Lymington and Yarmouth. Both facilities combine to offer a more than adequate 'lifeline to the Island'. Why would Wightlink really want to spend something like £200,000 on such a scheme, which they have never considered necessary up till now? It seems likely to local people that Wightlink intend to bring two ferries in alongside one another; either operating from two 'Linkspans' or keeping a second ferry in a holding position in the newly dredged area, so that it can he maneuvered across to the 'Linkspan' immediately the first ferry has departed. This would greatly speed turn-round times and enable them to bring in more ferries per hour. Either of these scenarios would block the main channel to Wootton Creek at half tide-low water and could cause considerable difficulty at other states of tide for all other Creek users. Obviously the scouring on the seabed would he increased dramatically. |
Fishbourne is simply not big enough to cope with the extra ferry movements, let alone the so-called Mega ferry and the environmental, visual and traffic impacts would all he seriously detrimental to the locality. In short... Wightlink, a profitable company, have, per mile, charges amongst the highest in the world - their ticket for a car and four passengers in the peak summer season is over £110 for a seven-mile return crossing. Ferry charges are the main complaint of Islanders, and high ferry charges can have severe economic repercussions. Wightlink plan further expansion. If dredging goes ahead, as has been stated above, there will be nothing to stop Wightlink introducing more large ferries. Until the early 70s there were two ferries on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route each of 293 gross tonnes. There are today four ferries in operation each of which is more than ten times greater at around 3000 gross tonnes. In addition the frequency of sailings has increased and the sailings are getting close to being around the clock. Unrestricted expansion by a private company Wightlink has inherited considerable powers unusual in a private company. They are the Harbour Authority for part of Wootton Creek and they seem able to give themselves permission to introduce the proposed new larger ferry without any process of local consultation. There is no official forum to discuss the wisdom of this. There must come a point at which the Creek is regarded as being at capacity as far as ferries are concerned. We believe that point has been reached. What can you do to help? Support the call by the people of Fishbourne, Wootton Creek, Woodside and Binstead, for a public enquiry into the effects and all the consequences of dredging 30,000 cubic metres of seabed from the Creek and introducing much heavier and larger ferries. How? Write to the Chief Executive, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, Newport, P030 lUD, requesting a public enquiry into Wightlink's activities, and send a copy to the Fishbourne Residents Group, c/o 92 Fishbourne Lane, Ryde, Isle of Wight, P033 4EU. Thank you for taking the time to read this and supporting us.
Does an area such as this have to be exploited, and exploited again, until it is thoroughly spoilt? |
