FEES to cross the Sandbanks chain ferry could rise by nearly £1 per journey for car users. 

Ferry bosses have put forward new prices for the crossing between Sandbanks and Studland to the Department for Transport. 

The new price rises could see pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who have paid £1 since 2009 to cross, paying £1.75. 

Cars or light vans less than 3.5 tonnes, previously paying £5.30, may have to fork out an extra 96p to pay £6.26, or an 18 per cent increase. 

Passenger vehicles such as coaches and HGVs more than 3.5 tonnes could also see an 18 per cent increase from £10.60 to £12.52. 

The ferry company said it has pulled a previous toll application to the DfT following “comments and requests” during the consultation period.

(Image: Taken with assistance of Bournemouth Helicopters)

Jason Dui Toit, managing director of the ferry, said: “We value the input from our users and always try to accommodate requests where possible. 

“It is unfortunate that we have been delayed but we felt it was in the best interests of everyone to accommodate these requests.” 

Comments by people with “a substantial interest” can be made in relation to the proposed price rises to nationalcasework@dft.gov.uk by September 12. 

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

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.  

Essex-based Fairacres Group, which runs the ferry, said 2022/23 was a “challenging year” for the ferry while posting a pre-tax loss of more than £721k.  

In April, the prices went up for cars by 10p to £5.30 and up 20p for HGVs to £10.60. 

The price for a car in the financial year 2022/23 was £4.75.

Dorset Council has already said it was “disappointing” to see the ferry operator wanted to increase fares “just three years into the current 12-year ferry fare plan”.

And BCP Council has also echoed objections to price increases, with a spokesman saying it is "concerning" the company wants to up its prices and warned it could add to congestion on the roads as people are costed out of its use.