The future of the passenger boat service operating on the River Thames between Gravesend in Kent and Tilbury in Thurrock has been thrown into doubt after the KCC opened a consultation on 8th January 2024.
KCC are looking at cutting costs across its portfolio of services and they admit that they are not sure if they can cover all the costs in the longer term. Without funding from KCC, there would not be enough to support the service. This means there is a doubt about the future of the service beyond the current contract which expires at the end of March 2024.
Over 100,000 journeys per year are made on the service by users travelling from Kent and Thurrock and from further afield. The service enables a convenient and fast way to travel to work, school or to access Gravesend and Tilbury towns and onward destinations.
KCC Want to want to hear your views on the future of the ferry service
Without the ferry, people would face a 2-hour bus journey each way or a 20 mile trip over the Dartford Crossing, which is one of the busiest areas in the country. It would be a devastating loss to commuters and children who see the ferry link as essential.
Since 2000, the service has operated with financial support from Kent County Council and Thurrock Council who became involved when the operator at the time cancelled the service. In October 2023, Thurrock Council advised that they could not afford an increase to the contract cost and may struggle to commit to funding for the service in the longer term. KCC have supported the continuation of the service in the immediate term and are currently meeting the cost of the subsidy in full, without a contribution from Thurrock.
KCC are running this consultation to understand how the service is used, when and for what purpose and what the impacts for users and the area would be if it were to stop. The consultation runs from 8th January 2024 to 4th February 2024.
You can find out more about the consultation here.
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