Foot ferries

[whole diary]

[grahame]

A story from East Anglia, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68428422

Foot ferries were once a vital cog in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s transport network, but those keeping these ancient river crossings going tell of an aging workforce, rising costs and an uncertain future.

A few weeks ago, the operators of the Horning Foot Ferry in Norfolk announced the service was ending because of a shortage of volunteers and a drop in the number of people using it.

For those in the ferry world, the demise of the centuries-old crossing of the River Bure was sad but not surprising. It was, they say, emblematic of the kind of issue they face each and every day.

Department for Transport figures show a decline in river ferries usage - down more than 10% from 20.1m passenger journeys in 2012 to 17.4m in 2022.

The nation's foot ferries come in all shapes and sizes, from small rowing boats to large motor-powered vessels carrying dozens of passengers at a time.

One wonders at the regulation and control systems that allow the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) to maintain statistics like this.

[Mark A]

A curious way to close the article. If you need to cross water and there's no bridge or tunnel, and you're not prepared to swim, you're going to need a ferry. (Also, gauging the need for a ferry or bridge from the number of people swimming the river... not the best approach to the issue, that...)

Mark

'So what is the future for ferries like Mr Zemann's?

"There's an endless [list of] ferries which have closed," he says.

And yet there is something "old school" about foot ferries, he says, like vinyl records or artisanal goods that might just be in their favour.

Being on the water, he says, gives people a completely different and memorable experience of a place - the type of "cool" mentioned by teacher Mr Hunt.

"I really think these things will come back again," Mr Zemann says. "But I think with a bit of clever marketing loads more ferries could work.

"I don't think it has to be the end."'[/list]

[ChrisB]

Add to this list the Gravesend to Tilbury Foot & cycle ferry across the Thames. Last service March 31st. Thurrock Council pulled their support & Kent couldn't afford it on their own.

https://www.jetstreamtours.com/about-us/news

[Mark A]

Ouch, that's going to hurt.

Mark