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MULTI-million pound plans have been unveiled to move ferry services out of a Hampshire waterway and create a major new cross-Solent terminal, the Daily Echo can reveal. The far-reaching proposals would see Wightlink's Lymington River operation entirely relocated to a stretch of coastline at nearby Pennington Marshes. Dubbed "Port Pennington", the move would provide a shorter crossing to the Isle of Wight and could be combined with a programme of improvements to sea defences along the marshland foreshore. It is believed the terminal would be able to accommodate three larger ferries being introduced by Wightlink. The controversial new boats are currently the cause of a bitter dispute between the company and Lymington river users over water displacement and erosion in the area. Wightlink bosses have vowed to launch an outline feasibility study and say they can "see the merit" in operating from a site closer to the island. If it goes ahead, road access would be from the A337, cutting out lengthy delays at Lymington's level crossing and toll bridge. Concept designer Derf Paton - a member of Lymington River Association - says public access to the port would be via an historic part-built railway at the end of Lower Pennington Lane. The terminal would be built at Pennington sewer outfall where there is already a concrete boom built in the Solent. Train passengers arriving in Lymington would be able to transfer to the port using a bus service or smaller ferry link. Wightlink chief executive Andrew Willson urged caution but told the Daily Echo a study would be undertaken to see if the move was a viable option. He said: "We are aware of the proposals and we would not wish to dismiss it without proper consideration. There is clearly merit in operating there from the perspective of the shortness of the crossing to the Isle of Wight." 10:30am Thursday 17th April 2008  Print  Email this  CommentPosted by: Isn't going to happen on 11:14am Thu 17 Apr 08 Posted by: Keith Oftergrass on 11:27am Thu 17 Apr 08 Isn't going to happen wrote:I think you're more likely to see the announcement of "an exciting new housign development of x thousand appartments" springing up on the prime location site of the existing terminal. Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 11:48am Thu 17 Apr 08 Pedestrian passengers will NOT use the bus transfer, so you can kiss goodbye to any notion of foot passenger service on this route. Lugging suitases between transport modes once is bad enough - expecting people to do it twice more is just evidence of nonexistent research. Statistical evidence shows every time that bus transfer or bus replacement schemes ever since Beeching have just withered and died. As a result we will see empty trains for a while then eventual closure of the Lymington line, but the already busy roads will see empty buses queueing up behind even higher volumes of cars. All this is because the selfish and unrepresentative Lymington River Association wants the river entirely to itself just to play at boats. Commerce, jobs - yes even the environment, have to play second fiddle to "leisure". If the LRA succeed everyone else around Lymington will suffer. However I have no doubt that the Milford and Downton Gravel Pit Nimbies will be on the warpath as soon as they hear about this and that one of their number will discover that the Keyhaven Sea wall is home to some rare sphagnum moss or marsh spider so the vast majority of sensible Lymingtonians can sit back and enjoy watching the two selfish parties slug it out with each other, and just for once I hope the Nimbies win! Posted by: J, Holbury on 12:35pm Thu 17 Apr 08 I can't see this going anywhere (the marshes are recognised internationally as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and would/should be protected from any development). Although stranger things have happened - all depends if the planners can be 'persuaded'. Posted by: Simon, Southampton on 1:02pm Thu 17 Apr 08 Posted by: keith, test valley, home of GORDON RAMSEYS CROCS on 1:15pm Thu 17 Apr 08 So i see the yachties will be throwing parties galore. Goodbye all you locals,your future generations will never be able to live there now,future rent/mortgage will be sky high now. Posted by: Mr E, Eastleigh on 1:39pm Thu 17 Apr 08 I think a bridge to the Isle of wight is long overdue. It would save all this messin about in boats. We could even get the EU to pay for it. Posted by: confused on 2:06pm Thu 17 Apr 08 keith wrote:what are you on about you prat. go and spend some valuable time with your nearby crocodiles. Posted by: Godfrey, Mayfair London on 4:38pm Thu 17 Apr 08 keith wrote:Just because you were born at a particular location doesn't give you the right to stay there. you don't own Lymington....WE DO HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!! Posted by: Former Lymingtonian, Southampton on 6:08pm Thu 17 Apr 08 Godfrey wrote:The locals of Lymington would call these Londoners "Snob Cobblers". This is not the first time a proposal to move the IOW ferry Terminal to Pennington Marshes. It was first proposed in 1934 for a Rail Tunnel, but a Car Ferry Service was the option in 1934. I really doubt this will ever happen in that area as it is part of the National Park and a Protected area and those moaning Yachties will have to moan about when the River will silt up and there Mooring Fees will sore as Wightlink are a major payer of River. Posted by: mart, new forest on 6:10pm Thu 17 Apr 08 If the ferries go then it would no longer be a commercial port. So would not be able to dredge the river. Then you would end up with lot's of yacht's that cant get out! The old site would be sold for more flat's (more car's)The rail link would go! This would be the end of Lymington as we know it! And all this to please five men with yacht's (The LRA) A group no one can join!!! Posted by: Nick Drew, Pennington on 6:13pm Thu 17 Apr 08 Posted by: frank matson, southampton on 10:12pm Thu 17 Apr 08 The proposed ferry terminal is right in the middle of an important seabird and wildfowl habitat where birds feed / nest / migrate and over-winter and will definitely have a detrimental effect on their welfare and cause them serious disturbance. Posted by: Elinor, Lymington on 11:10pm Thu 17 Apr 08 What a surprise! The sailing community has been wanting to get rid of the railway bridge for ages so they can open up more of the river for moorings - to make more money for a select few local businesses and also make the new housing development at Webs 'more select' by taking away the train noise and getting rid of ferry traffic. This is very thinly disguised attempt at offering something useful, but it's hopeless. Imagine the bus route to/from Lower Pennington from the main railway station on a market day. To suggest building anything at all on the wildlife reserve is an utter disgrace. There are actually people here who care about the marshes and the wildlife they support, and not every Lymington inhabitant is a yachtie! Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 8:43am Fri 18 Apr 08 Well said Elinor. I was born and raised a Lymingtonian. Keep up the good fight on behalf of the overwhelming majority. Posted by: Kelvin Currie, Freshwater on 5:21pm Fri 25 Apr 08 Could be a good idea, but I think the railway should be diverted there if possible. Another link in the transport structure with a bus to the train, as proposed, will put off people who prefer to use public transport and the Heritage Line will suffer I feel. Posted by: WightEagle, Summmerzett on 10:20am Tue 29 Apr 08 well said.... i think the LRA should be bound and gagged, for at least 6 months! do they really think wightlink will not have done the homework on this? these new ships will be better for the river, not worse! no, bind them and gag them , lets all see what happens, then we can can all make up our minds in a while....and maybe not release the LRA.... :) Posted by: Gardenleaver, Sway on 9:36am Wed 14 May 08 Posted by: Gardenleaver, Sway on 9:36am Wed 14 May 08
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