Councils under fire for refusing to help save Hythe Ferry

Councils have rejected a plea to secure the future of the transport link by contributing to the cost of a new £250,000 pontoon.

Their decision has come under fire from Hampshire county councillor David Harrison, who represents part of the area served by the ferry.

He has spoken out amid growing fears that the service - which was not run since last August - will never return.

The Hythe Ferry has not run since August 2024, when a pontoon at the end of Hythe Pier was found to be defective (Image: Newsquest)

Posting on the SEE Southampton Facebook page, one person claimed that Red Funnel had "no intention" of resuming crossings.

They added: "This pontoon malarkey is just a smokescreen. You can guarantee if the pontoon for the Red Jet was faulty they would have a replacement within hours."

READ MORE: Local authorities reject plea to help save Hythe Ferry

Another Red Funnel critic added: "I would be devastated if the ferry closed and the pier was allowed to fall into even more disrepair."

The Hythe Ferry has not run since August 2024, when a pontoon at the end of Hythe Pier was found to be defective (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Harrison, who represents Marchwood, has also taken to social media.

In a Facebook post headed "shocking failure", he criticised local authorities for rejecting the request made by fellow Lib Dem councillor Malcolm Wade, who had urged them to make a loan or grant.

READ MORE: Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to rescue Hythe Ferry

Cllr Harrison said the transport link was part of the Solent Way, which had been "broken in half" by the ferry's absence.

He added: "Surely, the district council should be allocating a small amount of the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) monies it receives every year from development in the area.

"Despite the revenue deficit the county council has, it could very easily find a capital sum to repair the pier and permit the service to run as the best of the season approaches."

The Hythe Ferry has not run since August 2024, when a pontoon at the end of Hythe Pier was found to be defective (Image: Newsquest)

A district council spokesperson said: "The operator of Hythe Ferry did not bid for CIL funding for 2025 to 2026.

"There will be opportunities later in the year for bids to be made for the 2026 to 2027 fund and, once bids are received, they will be assessed alongside other submissions."

A county council spokesperson added: "Along with Southampton City Council and New Forest District Council, we have provided significant financial support for Hythe Ferry over the years.

"While we are sympathetic to the issue Red Funnel is facing, the county council has no legal responsibility for the upkeep or running of ferry services."

Fran Collins, Red Funnel's chief executive, said: “We continue to support the team at the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, collaborating closely on their sustainable, long-term plan for the business.

“Since Red Funnel purchased the business in 2023, the lifespan of the service was extended, operating over 5,500 sailings and carrying 70,000 passengers since January 2023, continuing to provide connectivity for people at a time when this important local service would have otherwise ended."

Ms Collins said the ferry had been given a £70,000 refit.

But she added: "As an independent business, the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company must autonomously raise funding. We remain fully committed to supporting the business resuming services."

A separate statement has been issued by Ashleigh Mutimear, business manager at the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company.

She said: "As an independent business, we have been working with the support of Red Funnel to raise the funds needed to make the essential pontoon repairs. A new business plan has been developed to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the Hythe Ferry.

“Our priority is raising funding, and we have been in close communication with local political stakeholders.

“It’s important to note, the Hythe Ferry has not received any subsidies from Central Government but continues to compete with the bus service who are very well supported.

"With the necessary funding, the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company will be able to resume its essential service, which is pivotal to the Hythe community."