A ferry chain broke yesterday evening (Friday, June 24) at the Torpoint Ferry and left the river crossing service with only two ferries. The “technical problem” will cause interruptions until Monday morning, when it is planned to resume a three-ferry service.
The ferry seemed to deviate from the course and apparently had to be moved by a tugboat. The disturbance came at the same time as the planned “fuel rebellion” protest at Tamar Bridge, which had raised expectations of major delays in Plymouth.
Ferry service users have been warned to “plan trips accordingly” after the interruption.
Read more: The increase in the toll on Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry could arrive earlier than expected
The Tamar Crossings – Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee posted a statement on Facebook last night saying, “Ferry: Due to a technical issue, we will be offering a ferry service 2 until further notice. We anticipate a service by ferry 3 for Monday morning. Please plan your trips accordingly. “
The Torpoint and Rame community events and services Facebook group also updated its followers with a post that said, “The ferry chain has broken, on Tamar’s ferry, the tug is pulling her away.”
After the low turnout in the Tamar Bridge protest, one commenter said, “More effective at causing disruptions than the bridge protest.” The protest at Tamar Bridge began at 5pm where protesters showed up and blocked the lanes of the bridge.
Torpoint Ferry and Tamar Bridge have also been the subject of other talks this week, as planned toll increases could take effect earlier than expected. A 30 percent increase in cash tolls is due to be introduced in January, but motorists could now see it introduced sooner.
Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council agreed earlier this year to increase the cost of tolls to help cover a budget gap that has been created by a drop in traffic using the steps since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The planned increase would mean that cash tolls would go from £ 2 per crossing to £ 2.60 and TamarTag users would see costs increase from £ 1 to £ 1.30.
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