Lymington-Yarmouth update

Wightlink’s observations regarding recent questions asked and discussions held in parliament. 

This week there have been both an Adjournment Debate and written replies to a number of questions lodged by Desmond Swayne MP regarding Wightlink’s operations in the Lymington River. 

In the Adjournment Debate the Minister confirmed that Wightlink is the relevant competent authority responsible for assessing the impact of the new vessels. Wightlink is undertaking its duties in this respect and has asked stakeholders for their comments regarding its proposed assessment process.

In the Debate, Mr Swayne said that, left to nature, the salt marshes would be growing and extending were it not for the propulsion units on the ferries. There is no evidence that this is true. It is widely accepted that salt marshes all over the Solent are diminishing but, as yet, no study has provided conclusive evidence regarding the cause of the loss. As the Minister said “we need to have a sense of perspective and not blame everything on what has happened recently.” Wightlink notes that natural erosion has played and continues to play its part and leisure craft activity is considerable throughout the Solent often requiring significant dredging. 30,000 tonnes of mud are dredged from Lymington Harbour alone every year to accommodate the leisure craft industry.

The Minister went onto say “there is no evidence to suggest that any impacts will be different to those already predicted”. Wightlink’s proposed habitat regeneration and protection plans are designed to deal with these. He concluded by saying there is no clear scientific basis on which to support a decision to stop or suspend the ferry operation at the moment. His written answers confirmed the remarks he made in the debate and added “that any impacts arising from the operation of these ferries up to the spring of 2011, when works needed to mitigate the impact of the ferries are planned to start, would be insignificant and not likely to result in any measurable harm or damage”.  Wightlink notes that ongoing surveys undertaken both by Wightlink’s appointed advisors and by the Lymington Harbour Commission continue to fail to find evidence of ferry-induced erosion.

Wightlink also notes that Mr Swayne professes not to be anti-ferry and we assume his views take account of the value of the vital link between Lymington and Yarmouth and the significant economic and employment benefits that it provides for his constituents and thousands of others. For the avoidance of doubt we hope it is useful to remind interested parties that Wightlink is not the only competent authority that has to carry out Appropriate Assessments relating to the project. A number of consents and licences are required from The New Forest District Council, The National Parks Authority, The Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency all of whom will carry out independent assessments. Only when they are satisfied no adverse impact will occur from the operation of the ferries, will they issue the required consents. Wightlink will only finalise its own Appropriate Assessment when all other Competent Authorities have confirmed that there will be no adverse impact.

Wightlink fully understands the frustration felt by all of our customers who currently endure less than ideal embarkation facilities in Lymington, and those other river users who are inconvenienced by the additional time taken to moor the ferries.  We would like to assure you we are doing everything possible to resolve the situation as quickly as we can and we would like to apologise to all affected by the delays in completing our works.

Issued 18 June 2010

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