Deputies clash over inter-island ferry offer

Politicians in Jersey and Guernsey have clashed over inter-island ferry travel.

The island's governments chose different firms to operate services to the UK and France for the next 15 years, but under the new arrangement there are fewer large vessels travelling between Jersey and Guernsey.

Authorities said they had now been approached by a group, called FerryBridge, offering to run vehicle and freight services between the islands.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, who was responsible for Jersey's ferry negotiations, said he was "willing to support" the idea, but Deputy Neil Inder, who ran Guernsey's negotiations, said it was too early in the new arrangements.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Sustainable Economic Development Minister who handled the ferry negotiations for Jersey, said island authorities were interested in the offer from FerryBridge.

"Jersey has said it's absolutely willing to support that, we've not received positive responses from Guernsey," he said.

"I am slightly concerned that we're being offered solutions and Jersey wants these solutions but we're being pushed back elsewhere, and I do wonder why that's the case."

Deputy Neil Inder, President of Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development, said Morel's comments had left him angry.

"'I'm incredulous that a minister in Jersey appears to have no ability to look in the rear-view mirror," he said.

"I have already advised the people behind FerryBridge that it is too early in the new ferry arrangements and any ferry proposal seeking ramp access would be incompatible with Guernsey's current contractual, legal and ramp licensing arrangements.

"Deputy Morel is fully aware of our position, so there shouldn't be any lack of clarity on his part."

Inder is one of 82 candidates standing in Guernsey's general election - see a full list here.

Despite a lack of options for people wanting to take their vehicles between the islands, there are a number of services for foot passengers.

Guernsey company Islands Unlimited launched an inter-island ferry service offering a daily inter-island foot passenger service on high-speed catamaran capable of carrying 316 passengers from June.

Chad Murray, operations director for Islands Unlimited, hoped the service provides more certainty for people wanting to travel between the islands.

"They want something that they know is the same each day of the week," he said.

"Not only for the general public, but also for a lot of the tour operators that are trying to have confidence to sell experiences to visitors in both islands."

French firm Manche Iles Express will also run ferries for foot passengers between the French coast, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark.

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