Support for continuation of 'vital' ferry service

The historical Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service is a "vital" piece of public transport infrastructure and must continue, a petitioner has said.

The contract to maintain and run the Lancashire ferry is due to expire in April 2026 and there are concerns about whether it will keep running.

Currently run by Wyre Marine Services, using the vessel Wyre Rose, the ferry crosses the River Wyre in about five minutes, and can carry up to 35 passengers.

Although Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council have not indicated that funding support for the contract will cease, campaigner Anton Arenko who has set up a petition is keen to show the level of support for the ferry.

He said: "The ferry is a vital piece of the area's history and has witnessed a lot in over 130 years of operation.

"It is not as some see only a tourist attraction but a vital piece of public transport infrastructure which environmentally saves 12 miles of driving to the same point and reliably transports 30,000+ people every year."

The potential removal of the service could possibly "pose a serious threat to local businesses," he said.

"In turn costing jobs and denting economic growth in an area with low investment and employment opportunities."

Tony Cowell, who runs the ferry service on behalf of Wyre Marine Services, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Obviously, we are concerned about what will happen after April '26 because of the way the world is.

"Money is tight these days. We are the only ferry of this type operating in Lancashire so it would be tragic if we weren't able to continue."

Lancashire County Council has been approached for a comment.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.