THE FERRY service between Llansteffan and Ferryside will not restart this year, the directors of the service have now confirmed. Sadly, the ferry will not set sail for at least another 12 months.
Carmarthen Bay Ferries halted all services of the Glansteffan ferry across the River Towy in March last year because of the pandemic.
There was talk of a re-starting of operations in January, but this has sadly now been suspended.
Chair of Carmarthen Bay Ferries Kenton Morgan said: “We realise this will be an enormous blow to our supporters on both sides of the estuary and to the Friends of Glansteffan Ferry who have
been so enthusiastic and supportive in fundraising during the first lockdown; the uncertainty around the future progress of the pandemic and its potential effect on tourism and demand for boat trips and the ferry service in 2021 were things we considered.
“The operational plans were to begin the ferry service and the popular boat trips to Laugharne, Carmarthen and Caldey Island off Tenby at the beginning of April and to operate until the end of September.
“As this became less likely the directors looked at the effect of starting operations later in the year and reviewed their decision on a monthly basis.
“In the end, the uncertainty and risk to the company of operating in a climate which might result in significant financial loss forced their hand and a decision was made not to operate this season.”
Plans to revive the ferry crossing began in 2016, and a £300,0000 Coastal Communities grant started the wheels in the motion last August.
A firm in Solva, Pembrokeshire, was commissioned to build the boat with the designs already used to make about 1,200 around the world over the last 13 years.
Rob Bamforth, from Carmarthen Bay Ferries which runs the new service, said it was not viable to rebuild the jetty as it would have needed to be 300ft (91m) long so finding the right boat design was key.
At the time, Rob Bamforth, from Carmarthen Bay Ferries which runs the new service, said it was not viable to rebuild the jetty as it would have needed to be 300ft (91m) long so finding the right boat design was key.