Delay in Swansea-Ilfracombe ferry raised in Assembly

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Jul 2010

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for a statement from Welsh Ministers on the future of the ferry service between Swansea and Ilfracombe after the company failed to launch the service this year as promised and then subsequently put the boats up for sale.

"My understanding is that this service needed a new pontoon in the River Tawe estuary to be viable," said Mr. Black, "and that the company had been working with the Welsh Government to try and secure that facility as part of the SA1 investment. What I am not clear on is why that failed to appear and whether it is likely to be in place for next year.

"I am very concerned that advertising the boats for sale sends the message that the company has abandoned any hope of delivering this service. I hope that is not the case but we need some clarity from Ministers as to what they are doing to ensure that it goes ahead.

"The Government and the Council needs to be working together on this matter. The Business Minister did not give me the assurances I sought as to a statement but I will continue to press this case as I do not want Swansea to lose this opportunity.