CHAIN ferry users are up in arms following a decision to increase ticket prices from next month.

Sandbanks Ferry prices will go up from Saturday, April 1, with cars set to pay £4.30 for a single crossing – an increase of 20p.

For HGVs and buses/coaches, the fare will increase by 40p to £8.60.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists will continue to pay £1 for a single crossing.

But users of the ferry have reacted to the latest fare increase, with some calling the cost of a crossing a “rip off”.

Dozens of people posted on the Daily Echo’s Facebook page to voice their concerns.

Linda Jones said: “I’m shocked. I went on it last week - £8.60 return is just too expensive. I won’t use it again.”

Michael Magee said: “It’s cheaper to drive round via Corfe Castle. And I won’t get stuck in one hour long traffic waiting to get back. Total rip off.”

Lin Batson agreed. “If I ever go to Swanage again, I will drive round through Corfe. £8.60 for a return trip is ridiculous. It’s not going to cost that much in extra fuel to go the other way, and at times the wait for the ferry is crazy.”

Ryan Phillips, a tourist to Swanage, asked “why on earth don’t they consider doing a return ticket at a slightly reduced price?”

However, Linda Lowe said while she wished the ferry operator would accept card payments for tickets, she was “quite happy” to pay the extra 30p for a crossing.

“It was originally going to be 50p. Too many incidents happen on the road way round, plus the many roadworks,” she added.

Cllr Cherry Brooks, portfolio holder for economy and infrastructure at Purbeck District Council, said she hoped the price increase would not affect tourism levels in the area.

“Obviously it’s a shame that the ferry prices have to go up – but if the ferry operator’s costs are going up then prices have to go up accordingly.

“I hope it won’t affect the tourism of the town and that people will continue to use the ferry. It’s used a lot by locals, and I believe they can buy discounted tickets.”

She added: “I think the ferry is a valuable asset and it needs to stay.”

A spokesperson for Sandbanks Ferry said: "In 2014 the Ferry Company made an application to the DfT to increase certain fares.

"As part of the application process a public inquiry was held in Studland which explained the reasons the Ferry Company were asking for the increase.

In short, this was due in part to increasing costs, re-surfacing of 2.5 miles of Ferry Road and the need to build a reserve in order to replace the Ferry in the future.

"The increases were approved by the DfT and the Ferry Company gave an undertaking to implement the increases over three years for the cash fare and five years for the discounted tickets.

"The final planned increase to £4.50 for cars/light vans and £9.00 for HGV’s and Coaches for this April has not been implemented in full.

"Instead, due to the current economic climate, the Ferry Company has decided to only increase the fares to £4.30 for cars/light vans and £8.60 for HGV’s and Coaches with the final increase deferred to a later date."