Burnham ferry link plan sunk
Multi-million-pound plans for a new ferry link from Burnham-on-Sea to Cardiff Bay next year have been dashed.
Entrepreneur Chris Marrow has created a £5-million venture, Severn Link, to operate ferry services around the Bristol Channel.
Severn Link has unveiled the first route, using a 34-knot, 360-passenger catamaran between Swansea and Ilfracombe.
It will take 50 minutes to complete the journey from Ilfracombe by sea, which on road would take around three and a half hours.
While Burnham is not included in the route Mr Marrow says the town has not been completely ruled out of other the other major destinations being planned.
He said: "Burnham is not necessarily off the cards, it is something we are still studying.
"It could still be considered as one of the other new routes.
"It is a question of getting new facilities ready for next year.
"There is more work to be done."
Mr Marrow believes however the linking of the two shores is an important step in allowing a quicker journey time.
He added: "To my knowledge, there is no other comparable stretch of water in the world, linking similarly populated areas, which doesn't have a heavily utilised ferry service – and market research has shown that there is a huge demand for this ferry route in South Wales and South West England."
The Severn Link website www.severnlink.com is now live and available to view destinations, ferry information and to book advance tickets.
Comments
by Ross Dow, Jamestown Scotland
Monday, January 25 2010, 7:11PM
“I visit Cardiff every summer with a group of friends for the speedway GP. Normally we go to Somerset speedway on the Friday (PL Pairs), Millenium Stadium on Saturday and Newport on Sunday (Welsh Open). However, we are forced to take cars and clog the motorways, increase our carbon footprint and refrain from local hostelries because it is virtually impossible to get back to Cardiff after the meeting (3 hours plus including a 90 minute wait in Bristol) eventually arriving in Cardiff after 2 a.m.
A ferry both ways would be brilliant - especially if it only took 50 minutes. Even during the day it takes 90 mins on the train. Remember that there are over 40,000 speedway fans in Cardiff that weekend looking for something to do. Obviously there are many other events at the Millenium Stadium where people like to try something different. Perhaps the good people of Burnham and Highbridge could organise events to attract a share of the crowds.
THE FERRY GETS MY VOTE!!
P S Can you arrange a detour via Glasgow - we would make it worth your while!!!”