Friends of the Ferries across the Mersey
CHAIR’S AGM REPORT 2024
Tuesday 28th May 2024 at the YMCA 7.30pm
At last we have been given some firm good news about the building of a vessel for Mersey Ferries, as I reported in my recent April Chairman’s letter. You will recall that the proposal for two new ferry vessels was scrapped due to the tenders received being much higher than expected, and that the City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram then announced in November 2022 an amended plan for one new vessel and the refurbishment of one of the existing ferryboats. On 13th December last he issued a Press Release stating that the City Region had signed a contract with Cammell Laird for the construction of a new ferry vessel. Your Committee met Mersey Ferries on 17th April this year, when we were informed that plans for the structural steel elements of the vessel had now been submitted to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyds Register for approval. In addition, a model is being tank-tested and will be similarly submitted. I gave further specification details in my letter, and also mentioned that we were shown a video showing the proposed interior design.
Clearly, these are very positive steps forward, and we await with some optimism the keel-laying ceremony, which should mean that the vessel could be operational in about 2.5 years time from now.
Additional good news is that the proposal to renew the Woodside stage appears to be coming to fruition, funded by Government “levelling-up” funding aimed at the regeneration of the Woodside area. A contactor has been appointed to carry out the work and test drilling of the river bed has taken place to assess the requirements for stable piling on which to mount the stage. This is the same principle as adopted for the facility at the Pier Head, but not as employed at the new Seacombe stage where anchoring chains have been specified. Hopefully, the final estimated costs will be acceptable enabling the project tp proceed to completion in 2025. However, Mersey ferries are concerned about other developments being planned at Woodside which might make the terminal an unattractive venue due to construction activities. We disagree with any delays in its opening - Birkenhead needs to have a share of Liverpool’s tourist trade as soon as possible – and in fact we wrote to the City Region’s Chief Executve in August 2023 complaining about what appears to have been the premature closure of the existing terminal presumably for reasons of economy.
Nevertheless, there continues to be a clear political will to ensure the future survival of Mersey Ferries and that every effort is being made to overcome any problems as they arise. Our relationship with Merseytravel and Mersey Ferries remains extremely cordial, and we are grateful for the time which senior staff make for us even though we sometimes learn things earlier using the bush telegraph provided by ship enthusiasts! We have met Merseytravel Officers twice on 5th December and 17th April since the last AGM, with some additional correspondence.
During the year the Friends have undertaken their usual activities, Our Cruise on 2nd September took place in fine weather with 200 tickets sold - rather lower than expected – but we more or less broke even. Please buy your tickets and encourage others for our Cruise on 22nd June this year! Our 2023 Christmas Draw remains ever-popular, and we benefit from donations as well as ticket sales. Thanks to Gordon Ditchfield for organising both events. Geoff Holmes has decided to retire as Newsletter Editor after 12 years, due to some health problems. We thank him for his 24 editions! Joan Roberts is also indisposed. We send them both our best wishes. The Hon. Secretary’s post remains unfilled. So, as you can see we are a bit short-handed and we need volunteers to join the Committee. In the first instance we can co-opt people to see whether they wish to take the job on permanently. The financial situation remains satisfactory and stable under the careful supervision of Malcolm McRonald who will explain in detail after this report the accounts for the year to 31st March 2024. My thanks also to Committee Members Terry Edgar and Andrew Blizard. Following the closure of all “Society” accounts by the Nationwide, we have been able to open a similar account with the Skipton Building Society.
In conclusion, the future situation for Mersey Ferries now appears brighter than it has been for a little while as a consequence of recent funding decisions. The political will is there to support the burgeoning tourist economy of the City Region. Environmental considerations can strengthen the public transport case.
Andrew Hodgson, Chairman, Friends of the Ferries across the Mersey
28th May 2024.