Blow for ferry users as firm decides not to restart operations this year
THE ferry service between Llansteffan and Ferryside will not run again this year due to the coronavirus restictrions – but bosses say it will return in spring 2021.
Since lockdown came into force in March, directors of Carmarthen Bay Ferries have halted all services of the Glansteffan ferry across the River Towy at the mouth of its estuary, meaning its income has dried up.
A new fundraising group, Friends of Glansteffan Ferry, was established last month to help the service survive.
However, directors of Carmarthen Bay Ferries have now decided not to restart services this season. In a statement, directors Les Jones, Martin Smith, Celia Strange and Kenton Morgan said:
“The decision was difficult and we know this will disappoint many of our supporters.
“After an austere Covid19 lockdown, there is a need for relaxing and interesting open-air activities in the UK.
“Ferry crossings and boat trips on the River Towy have the potential to provide this for our communities and the increasing numbers of people who are visiting the Welsh coast.”
But uncertainty over the virus led to plans to restart the service this summer being scrapped.
The directors added: “Our unique amphibious boat was due to operate from April until the end of September. The service was suspended indefinitely because of Covid19.
“The recent relaxation of lockdown provided an opportunity for the service to recommence for two months.
“In deciding not to do this, we reviewed all aspects of the service: tides, crew availability, shore support, social distancing and finances.”
Reluctantly, the directors decided that the risks to the crew, passengers, boat and financial risks to the company were too great to justify operating for such a short time in a period of uncertainty around second waves of the virus.
The ferry will now remain at its original home, Robust Boatbuilders in Solva, Pembrokeshire, until next season.
All ferry passes, tickets and vouchers will remain valid for the 2021 season.