Ferry News Archive
Ferry plan hope for Euro cash
Date: 19 Jul 2007 00:00 Source: North Devon GazetteThere are hopes that Welsh cash could help finance a new "fast cat" ferry service from North Devon to South Wales.
Following a summit in Swansea, business and council leaders on both sides of the Bristol Channel are to look at the possibility of financial help from the European Convergence fund. This money is available to only a few designated needy regions, including parts of Wales, and it is hoped that if a Welsh bid was successful, some of the money could be spent in North Devon.
The 30 delegates at the Swansea meeting discussed plans for the commercial ferry link following a similar meeting of business and industry leaders in North Devon.
The hope is for a £5 million passenger service linking Iflracombe to Swansea and Minehead to Penarth. A 300-passenger ferry could be launched by the summer of 2008, say backers of the project.
Kevin Kelway, for North Devon Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said: "West Wales and the Valleys receive over £1 billion in European cash. Some of that could help in creating a joint South West & Wales consortium in developing the route and creating jobs, bringing forward new business opportunities for both Wales and the South West economies."
Philip Byers, chairman of the NDCCI, added: "The ferry link must be driven by the private sector. But it is music to our ears of EU cash being explored to help get this project off the ground."
Chris Marrow of Mariners Marine Consultants outlined his plans to delegates who included Welsh Assembly leaders, Swansea council bosses and Tim Jones of the Devon & Cornwall Business Council.
Mr Marrow, said: "We have a lot of work to do over the next few months, with market research and setting up the company to run the service. But, crucially, finance. We will be talking to banks, venture capitalists and independent business folk too."
North Devon holiday boss John Fowler is in wholehearted support of the Ilfracombe to Swansea ferry scheme and has pledged his help.
Mr Fowler, whose company John Fowler Holidays owns parks in Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and across the region said they had carried out a survey among their own visitors.
A "very high percentage" said they would be keen to use a ferry service if one was running, he said.
If such a service were up and running, Mr Fowler continued, with an assurance it could cover the holiday season of March to October, he would actively advertise it at his own parks.
"We would also provide a shuttle service for guests, meeting them at the ferry each day and taking them back again," he said.
"We would be looking to offer people an inclusive price for the whole holiday and ferry combined."
His enthusiasm and commitment could prove important for the rest of the region, too:
"I am prepared to spend quite a large sum of money in South Wales on marketing to bring these people over for a holiday in North Devon - and I hope North Devon District Council and others will join me.
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