Post by ferryfast admin on Jan 26, 2012 10:44:15 GMT -5
Fast ferry in £2.5m transport plan
Herald Express
www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Fast-ferry-Bay-pound-2-5million-transport-bid/story-15039102-detail/story.html
January 26, 2012
A FAST ferry between Brixham to Torquay, a new cycleway and new bus service linking the harbour area to The Willows are part of a new £2.5million sustainable transport bid.
Torbay Council is putting the final touches to a scheme to help stimulate growth in the Bay, while reducing its carbon footprint, before it is submitted to the Department for Transport.
As part of the proposal, which needs to be completed and submitted to the Government by the end of next month, new pontoons would be built to be accessed by all existing ferry operators in the Bay and a new cycle route would be drawn between The Willows and Torquay harbourside.
The money cannot be used for roads and car parking projects.
Cllr Martyn Hodge, chairman of Brixham Town Council, said: "A fast ferry between Torquay and Brixham would be a good idea at certain times of the year. But I would think that with the easterly winds it would cause major problems.
"It would also have to suit commuters so they are encouraged to use the service. Ferries would have to run during commuting times, that is early in the morning and after office hours."
Brixham trader Joe Cloutman, the director of the Brixham Chamber of Trade, said: "The general consensus in the town is that a fast ferry would be a good thing. But obviously the other ferry operators are against it and there is a lot of loyalty in Brixham.
"My personal view is that it would be a good thing as it would help boost business in the town.
"If facilities are put in for a fast ferry and the fast ferry service fails, then the other operators would still benefit from the investment.
"I think it would be good for trade."
In her report to a transport working party, council officer Sally Farley said the scheme's benefits would help reduce congestion, improve access to Torquay and Brixham harbours and provide an alternative to car travel.
Cllr Robert Excell, member for transport, raised concerns about the position of new pontoons and how they would be managed especially in view of cruise ships anchoring off Tor Bay.
Capt Kevin Mowat, director of marine services and Torbay harbourmaster, said the position of the pontoons was a decision for the harbour committee.
He said: "There is an issue about positioning as far as Torquay is concerned. Major infrastructure repair work is needed. Different ferries come and go from various places.
"From a sustainable transport point of view, the planned pontoon is a good location but from a harbourmaster point of view, it is not."
Although a new transport strategy would also test the options for a third harbour in Torquay and a Northern arm for Brixham, the two major infrastructure projects have not been included in the bid.
Meanwhile, Torbay mayor Gordon Oliver has asked for a report on how businesses such as fishing, diving, transport and tourism could be harnessed to create more jobs.
He said: "We want to explore all the economic, social and cultural benefits of linking Tor Bay itself with the economic regeneration of the land based activities."
He said the report could also look at linking with Teignbridge and South Hams.
Preparation for the bid is likely to cost the council £45,000. Councillors will see a more detailed bid when the final draft is published next month.
Herald Express
www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Fast-ferry-Bay-pound-2-5million-transport-bid/story-15039102-detail/story.html
January 26, 2012
A FAST ferry between Brixham to Torquay, a new cycleway and new bus service linking the harbour area to The Willows are part of a new £2.5million sustainable transport bid.
Torbay Council is putting the final touches to a scheme to help stimulate growth in the Bay, while reducing its carbon footprint, before it is submitted to the Department for Transport.
As part of the proposal, which needs to be completed and submitted to the Government by the end of next month, new pontoons would be built to be accessed by all existing ferry operators in the Bay and a new cycle route would be drawn between The Willows and Torquay harbourside.
The money cannot be used for roads and car parking projects.
Cllr Martyn Hodge, chairman of Brixham Town Council, said: "A fast ferry between Torquay and Brixham would be a good idea at certain times of the year. But I would think that with the easterly winds it would cause major problems.
"It would also have to suit commuters so they are encouraged to use the service. Ferries would have to run during commuting times, that is early in the morning and after office hours."
Brixham trader Joe Cloutman, the director of the Brixham Chamber of Trade, said: "The general consensus in the town is that a fast ferry would be a good thing. But obviously the other ferry operators are against it and there is a lot of loyalty in Brixham.
"My personal view is that it would be a good thing as it would help boost business in the town.
"If facilities are put in for a fast ferry and the fast ferry service fails, then the other operators would still benefit from the investment.
"I think it would be good for trade."
In her report to a transport working party, council officer Sally Farley said the scheme's benefits would help reduce congestion, improve access to Torquay and Brixham harbours and provide an alternative to car travel.
Cllr Robert Excell, member for transport, raised concerns about the position of new pontoons and how they would be managed especially in view of cruise ships anchoring off Tor Bay.
Capt Kevin Mowat, director of marine services and Torbay harbourmaster, said the position of the pontoons was a decision for the harbour committee.
He said: "There is an issue about positioning as far as Torquay is concerned. Major infrastructure repair work is needed. Different ferries come and go from various places.
"From a sustainable transport point of view, the planned pontoon is a good location but from a harbourmaster point of view, it is not."
Although a new transport strategy would also test the options for a third harbour in Torquay and a Northern arm for Brixham, the two major infrastructure projects have not been included in the bid.
Meanwhile, Torbay mayor Gordon Oliver has asked for a report on how businesses such as fishing, diving, transport and tourism could be harnessed to create more jobs.
He said: "We want to explore all the economic, social and cultural benefits of linking Tor Bay itself with the economic regeneration of the land based activities."
He said the report could also look at linking with Teignbridge and South Hams.
Preparation for the bid is likely to cost the council £45,000. Councillors will see a more detailed bid when the final draft is published next month.