Penarth-Ilfracombe ferry service plan (From Penarth Times)

Penarth-Ilfracombe ferry service plan

8:20am Saturday 24th April 2010 in Latest news By Elinor Cross

A NEW ferry service between Penarth Pier and Ilfracombe in North Devon due to open this spring has been deleayed – by GOOD weather!

Severn Link Ferry Services plan to open the link between Penarth and the Devonshire coast as soon as possible, but safety tests – which include a rough sea test – must be carried out before the company can apply for a licence.

But the recent good weather has hampered attemptes to run the tests.

A spokesperson for Severn Link said: "As soon as the tests are able to be carried out, then we can go about applying for a licence, but we are very hopeful to open for business this spring."

The plan would see a high speed catamaran take passengers from Penarth to Ilfracombe in roughly an hour and a half.

Initially the ferry would carry around 300 foot passengers – but there are plans to extend this to cars and larger ferries at a later date.

The town's traders have welcomed the idea as they hope it will boost tourism in the town.

The spokesperson for the Severn Link added: "The Penarth fast ferry link will be a further realisation of the Severn Link vision to bring the communities of South Wales and South West England closer together.

"Both communities would benefit from the lifestyle and economic aspects of their neighbouring region.

"Residents and holidaymakers in North Devon will have easy access into the Penarth and Cardiff region to take advantage of shopping, social and sporting facilities, whilst those resident in Penarth and the surrounding area will have a fast, fun and affordable link to the many attractions of the South West of England, one of the UK’s biggest holiday destinations."