Sandbanks Ferry: What does the future hold for service?

Whatever its role in your life, the ferry holds a significance for the area that belies its 200m span across the water.

Over the past century the Sandbanks Ferry has been shuttling passengers and has seen millions of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists safely across.

It was even given a heroic role in a children’s storybook.

But now operators have proposed an increase on tolls for the chain ferry, public opinions seem to have split.

Some understand the need for higher prices and others feel it is not justified, with some even saying they’d prefer the option of a bridge or tunnel.

As announced last month, Sandbanks Ferry applied to the Department for Transport to align tolls with inflation and reduce some of the "unsustainable discounts" currently available.

This was despite a 12-year plan already being in place for the ferry fares.

Managing director Jason du Toit said the costs of running the chain ferry had “risen exponentially”, and the company was under “heavy financial strain”.

A decision on the application has not yet been made, and Sandbanks Ferry expect the consultation to take some time.

Sandbanks Ferry

The ferry tolls will go up on April 1 in line with the agreed 12-year plan and its guidelines.

This will see car prices go up 10p to £5.30, and HGV’s go up 20p to £10.60.

The fares could be increased again should Sandbanks Ferry get the go-ahead from the Department for Transport.

BCP Council and Dorset Council said they wouldn’t support any higher tolls, but what do residents and visitors think?

What Sandbanks residents think

FOR:

​Peter Morgan said: “What option do we have? Without it the hospitality business would fold, we saw the impact when it was out of action. They need to cover growing costs including staff wage increases in April.”

Chris Neppiras said: “Of course they need to stay in touch with inflation, the ferry uses fuel, they need staff members on and offshore. The ferry does not navigate itself, the costs to maintain the ferry in the saltwater environment is huge - every few years it has to be dry docked and have the anodes replaced and a repaint below the waterline.”

Lorraine Mooney said: “It’s always been reasonable price, used it on a regular basis, and was surprised that last year’s price rise wasn't higher. It’s a lovely service, and we hated when we had to drive to Poole the long way around.”

Steve Mickleson said: “Yes - definitely put prices up £2.50 each way for foot passengers and cyclists, £5 for motorcyclists, £7.50 for cars each way, and if people don’t like it they can drive around the road way. That seems fair.”

AGAINST:

Anita Manns said: “I think the price for foot passengers and cyclists is ridiculous as they charge each way at £1 per person when a motorbike is charged the same. A passenger vehicle carrying less than 16 people is £5. The maths does not work out.”

Dave Chapman said: “Scuttle it, replace it with a fixed access route such as a tunnel and be done with it.”

Philip Eades said: “I fear the impact it will have on the economy of Studland and Swanage. The more their price comes up, the less people that will come here, because the more expensive it makes their day trip from Bournemouth or Poole.”

UNDECIDED:

Ibbs Hass said: “What happens when inflation does down? I'm betting the price won't go down.”

Stefan Newnham said: “It will be cheaper to drive around.”

Richard Bangs said: “Seasonal pricing would help. Lower prices for locals over winter would encourage more use, while higher summer prices might reduce traffic queues.”

However, the proposed toll increases are not the only matter to have sparked debate recently.

Last month, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that emergency services had been charged thousands of pounds for using the Sandbanks Ferry.

Emergency services using the Sandbanks Ferry (Image: NQ)

South Western Ambulance Service spent £8,825 with the chain ferry between April and December of last year alone, while Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had spent a total of £4,261 over the past five years.

Sandbanks Ferry noted it was governed by The Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Act 1923, which states they are unable to charge the police, but has no mention of the other emergency services.

The FOI had been submitted by Philip Eades, a Swanage resident since 2016, after he heard a rumour that the ferry operators charged emergency vehicles.

Philip reported that his findings “shocked” him and residents.

He has also raised concerns over funds earmarked for a replacement ferry - should it ever be needed.

With the ferry company owned by Essex-based Fairacres Group, Philip is not confident a money pot will be kept safe for the ferry.

Fairacres Group has ‘other business interests’ which it could put its money towards, Philip suggested.

Sandbanks Ferry’s accounts have been subject to other analysis; it was recently revealed that the ferry posted a pre-tax loss of more than £721,000 last financial year.

Documents submitted to Companies House show the turnover for the ferry in 2022/23 was £2,400,575 compared to £3,049,698 for the previous financial year.

Fairacres Group said 2022/23 was a “challenging year” for the ferry.

A report by an independent auditor blamed the slow-down in turnover on the “severe disruption” caused by a refit which saw the ferry out of action for four months.

The refit was supposed to take just four weeks, but while being towed to Falmouth, the ferry sustained damage to its prow arms.

Addressing the accounts, managing director Jason du Toit said there was "nothing to worry about" regarding the company's future and that there will be "no job losses whatsoever" on the horizon.

The future of the ferry is shrouded in doubt but one thing that could keep it in business is the simple factor of its convenience.

Resident Curtis Underwood summed it up: “Unless the prices became ridiculous, I would pay any asking price. I'm not driving the long way around.”