The UK ferry route connecting the two cities will close on Wednesday after 180 years. UK | news
A ferry service that has been running for 180 years is going to end in a few days.
The Fleetwood-Knott End ferry has for generations provided a quick journey across the Wyre estuary between Fleetwood, a seaside town on the Fylde coast, and Knott End-on-Sea, a large village on the southern shore of Morecambe Bay.
But the Wire Council has announced that the ferry will be scrapped on April 15 after no “compliant tenders” were received. It is a blow to campaigners who have been fighting for the last three years to keep the “vital” transport link open. Fleetwood and Knott End-on-Sea are just 0.2 miles apart across the water, with the ferry carrying 35 passengers providing a simple 10-minute journey between the two.
Without the service, the locals would have to drive 11 miles inland, cross the Shard Bridge, and pass through several villages to reach Nott End. It takes about 25 minutes by car.
Wyre Council said in its statement announcing the impending closure on Facebook on Friday, April 10, that it “remains in discussions with the current operator, Wyre Marine Services, regarding the future of the service”.
It says, “Over the past 18 months, the council has worked closely with Lancashire County Council, which jointly subsidises the existing service, to take comprehensive steps to secure the long-term future of the ferry.”
“This includes early market participation, a formal open tender process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and detailed discussions with organisations that have expressed interest in operating the service.”
The council said, “Unfortunately, no compliance tenders were received, and subsequent discussions have not yet identified a financially viable and deliverable proposal that would allow the service to continue beyond the current contract.”
However, the council said that, while the service would not continue after 15 April, it was “committed to exploring alternative options, including discussing and reviewing with potential future operators how existing council assets could help support any future service.”
Wyre Council said it recognises that the ferry is “an important part of daily life for many residents, businesses and visitors” and that it will “continue to work with partners and keep the community informed of any developments”.
Express.co.uk has contacted Wyre Marine Services for comment.
