Wightlink's Mud Recharge is not working as contracted. As predicted by LRA. Click on the button below for a report by LRA specialists.
The Final Word on Ferries from those on the Isle of Wight.
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PUBLIC ENQUIRY: INSPECTORS REPORT
Overall conclusion 323. I have concluded, having regard to the project as a whole, including the ferry operations, that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 sites and there would be no damage to the SSSI. Having considered all other matters, I am satisfied that the appeal developments accord with the provisions of national and local planning policy and are acceptable. Accordingly for the reasons given above I conclude that the appeals should be allowed and planning permission granted.
Mary O’Rourke
Inspector
If you want to read the full Report, click on the button below:
Lymington Society Press Release on the result of the Wightlink Public Enquiry, click button below:
For information on the Regulators and how to Object please click on this button
On Monday 14th March 2011 Radio Solent held a 'Commutors Confidential' broadcast from aboard a Wightlink ferry.
To hear an extract click on the button below.
It may take some time to load if your internet is slow. Patience may be required, but it is worth it.
There have recently been emails and Tweets about the Lymington River Association which are untrue. They have alleged that the LRA wishes to close down the Lymington to Yarmouth Ferry. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The LRA knows that the ferry is essential for Lymington, Yarmouth and West Wight. But the new W Class ferry is not what is required. It carries far fewer passengers than the previous C class. Why? Because it is orientated to carry lorries above all. It carries only 360 passengers against the previous 510 - while it carries 348 tonnes of vehicles when the C Class carried only 156 tonnes. Is this what is needed? The LRA believes that a smaller, faster, cheaper ferry is needed. This will carry the passenger load needed by the people and avoid the unpleasant scenes witnessed when passengers could not get to the Island for the 'Old Gaffers' because train and coach passengers were already filling all 360 places. A smaller ferry will be less environmentally damaging. It will not require the ludicrous 'mitigation' of dumping of 2,000 tonnes of dredging sludge, pumped by pipeline onto a 'site of special scientific interest' and bird sanctuary. Wightlink W Class was introduced illegally. Wightlink should produce a legal solution. If not there are plenty of operators who would like to take on this lucrative operation.
WIGHTLINK AT LAST ARE FORCED TO LEGALISE THEIR OPERATIONS BY GETTING PLANNING PERMISSIONS
Wightlink have at last been compelled to seek planning permission for the operation of the W Class Ferries that they introduced illegally two years ago. They have applied to New Forest District Council for works to change their dock.
Wightlink are also applying for what they call 'mitigation'. They want to dump 2,000 tons of mud dredged from the river onto the marshes at the far end of Pylewell Lake. This is manifestly not 'mitigation' but a means by which they hope to avoid having to take any steps at true Mitigation. This will be challenged in Court by LRA if Wightlink go ahead.
There is now a third Regulator from whom Wightlink have to get Planning permission. This is the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
INDEX OF OTHER PAGES: Click to view.
LYMINGTON TIMES 20th FEBRUARY 2010
High Court Finds Wightlink’s Introduction of Much Larger Isle of Wight W Class Ferries ‘Unlawful’
The Lymington River Association (LRA) warmly welcomed the High Court decision announced today which has decisively ruled in the LRA’s favour over their Judicial Review against DEFRA and Wightlink concerning the introduction of the new extremely large W Class ferries on the Lymington to Yarmouth route.
The judgment by Mr Justice Owen, released this morning, declares that the Wightlink Company acted unlawfully by introducing new much larger W Class ferries onto the route and that the Board of Wightlink had put Wightlink’s commercial interests above their legal duty as a public authority to protect the environment. The Judge awarded full costs to the LRA indicating his assessment of the strength of the LRA case.
Mr Justice Owen also decided that DEFRA failed to fully and properly transpose the EU Habitats Directive into domestic law in the Habitats Regulations, thereby leaving a huge gap in marine habitat protection in this country.
The LRA, supported by 2400 petitioners, is seeking a ferry service that does not erode the marshes, thereby adversely affecting the habitats and coastal defences of Lymington Harbour. The Court’s decisions enable all stakeholders to call on Wightlink to consult, as they were required to do, and introduce a safe ferry service that works in harmony with the habitats and has regard to the amenities of the Lymington River for the people of the New Forest and the West Wight.
The LRA brought the High Court action against DEFRA and Wightlink reluctantly, having tried for almost two years to persuade the regulators and Wightlink to carry out a proper scientific assessment of the likely impact of more than 22,000 annual ferry crossings with the W Class, before replacing the old vessels with these much larger ships.
As this High Court judgment makes clear, the responsible government agencies had failed to put in place laws to protect marine environments - despite their obligations to do so under European law. This left government agencies powerless to intervene when Wightlink unilaterally decided, in the face of advice from Natural England and the Lymington Harbour Commission, to introduce the much larger W Class before completing proper evaluation of their likely impacts on the environment and on other river users.
Mr Justice Owen acknowledges that, due to the actions of the LRA in this case, new laws have now been brought forward by DEFRA to strengthen protection for marine environments for the whole country.
Speaking today after the Judgment Mr Marc Malanaphy Chairman of the LRA said:
"It is inexcusable that we had to go to the High Court to put right a situation where the responsible government agencies had failed to put in place laws to protect the marine environment - despite their obligations to do so under European law - and which left them powerless to intervene when Wightlink unilaterally decided, in the face of advice from Natural England and the Lymington Harbour Commission, to introduce the much larger W class before completing proper evaluation of their likely impacts on the environment and on other river users.
It is also unfortunate that Wightlink put their own commercial interest above protecting the important habitats nearby - which should have the highest level of protection - when they unilaterally decided to introduce these huge new ferries.
We remain concerned that the authorities are still underestimating the damage these vessels are causing and we will be continuing to carry out detailed analysis of recent surveys which we feel demonstrate a large increase in damage since they came into service. We hope that Natural England will take our concerns seriously when we present our findings to them shortly and revise their current advice to the regulators.
The issues for and the impact on, other river users, would seem to be substantial and will receive ever more attention from us in the weeks and months to come.
Ends
Contacts:
LRA Email: info@lymingtonriver.co.uk
Solicitors : Richard Buxton Environmental and Public Law
A present to Lymington from Wightlink : By dead of night the new ferry 'Wight Light' crept into Lymington, causing some consternation to those who opened their curtains to find it blocking their view of the Isle-of-Wight. But they will have to get used to it - now there are three !
"Two ferries, the one on the left "marginally bigger" according to Wightlink"
Wight Light - Open Day - Tuesday 28th October 2008
"The view from the Helmsmans eye position. No view of the area in front of the ship"
Canoeists eye view - completely unseen from the Bridge of the Ferry
"If you cannot see the ferry’s bridge, they will not be able to see you"
Who hit all the Piles?
"Damage on the Lymington ferry berth and matching scars on 'Wight Light'"
Name & Registered Office:
LYMINGTON
RIVER ASSOCIATION
210 PALAMOS HOUSE
66-67 HIGH STREET
LYMINGTON
HAMPSHIRE
SO41 9AL
Company No.
06850022
Company Type:
PRI/LBG/NSC/S.30 (Private, limited by guarantee, no share capital,
section 30 of the Companies Act)