'Vital' 180-year-old ferry crossing to end

A ten-minute ferry crossing that spares passengers a half-hour commute is to end.

Wyre Council said the Fleetwod-Knott End ferry service, which connects the two towns either side of the River Wyre estuary and carries up to 35 people, was due to end on 15 April because no "compliant tenders" to run it had been received.

The service has been running since the 1840s.

Reacting to the authority's Facebook post announcing the end of the service, some people described the ferry as a "national treasure", the loss of which would be "devastating" to the local economy.

The council said: "If the service does not continue past 15 April 2026, the Council remains committed to exploring alternative options, including discussions with potential future operators and reviewing how existing Council assets could help support any future service."

There has been a three-year campaign to save the ferry, which campaigners described as a "vital service" and a "solid piece of heritage".

By car, the journey of about 11 miles - which requires driving south and taking the Shard Bridge - takes about 25 minutes.

The council said it had been working with Lancashire County Council, which jointly subsidises the service, to try to "secure the long term future of the ferry".

"This has included early market engagement, a formal open tender process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, and detailed discussions with organisations that expressed an interest in operating the service," it said.

But, the council said there was not currently a "financially viable and deliverable proposal that would allow the service to continue beyond the current contract".

"We recognise the ferry is an important part of daily life for many residents, businesses and visitors," it added.

Wyre Marine Services has been contacted for comment.

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