Purpose

On 4 April 2018 the Leader of the County Council and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport approved the recommendation to secure ferry operations between Fleetwood and Knott End, in partnership with Wyre Council.

A contract was entered into between Wyre Marine Services Ltd (‘Wyre Marine’), Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council and a contract was signed on 12 April 2018 for a period of eight years (with a break clause at year four) in order to facilitate the continued running of the ferry service.

The Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry Service links Fleetwood and Knott End which in a normal year attracts over 30,000 passengers. The costs of running the service have increased substantially over the four-year period and, although the ferry service is well-used transport between the two locations, the operator is not in a position to reduce this subsidy to nil, as was the intention under the contract.

In order to continue to operate the service sustainably, an increased contribution will be required from the two authorities.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.