THURROCK Council must do all it can to restore the vital Gravesend to Tilbury Ferry, councillors have urged reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The ferry had to halt its service earlier this year after an agreement to extend the current contract could not be made. Now Thurrock Council and Kent County Council are said to be working together to find a long-term future for the service.
However, speaking at full council on Wednesday, Roy Jones, Independent councillor for Stanford East and Corringham Town described how residents of all ages had enjoyed the ferry and were suffering from its loss.
After putting forward a motion urging a concerted effort to find long-term funding for the ferry by all concerned, he said: “Many members in this chamber and residents in the public gallery and in Thurrock have probably used the Thames river crossing from Tilbury to Gravesend at some point in their lives. We know it affectionately as the Tilbury Ferry.
“I have fond memories of paying many a visit to Gravesend with my family. My children used to enjoy the ferry crossing immensely. Many times I worked in Kent and Gravesend and have used this ferry. It was far simpler to use a five-minute trip to cross from one landing stage to another one than sit in traffic on the A13.”
Mr Jones who had cross-party support for the motion, added: “I have many friends and work colleagues that used that ferry every day for work purposes. The company I was recently working for I should imagine a quarter of their numbers came from Gravesend, tradespeople I have residents in my ward whose children go to school in Kent. They’ve been told they can go by coach but that’s an horrendous journey every day before they start school.
“Do we really want to let this vital service go? I don’t think so. I think we’ve got to fight to keep this going. This is needed by many, many people.”
John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said he was “absolutely committed” to bringing back the Ferry. Speaking after the meeting, he said: “The loss of the ferry has had a significant impact on many residents – people who relied on the ferry, not only for leisure, but for getting to and from work and to get to school.”
“We have heard from many residents just how much the loss of the ferry means to them and we are committed to finding a commercially sound and sustainable long-term future for this historic river crossing.
It looks like the council wants to do all it can to stop people from moving to Tilbury
The ferry was the only life line to decent shops and pubs
I feel sorry for the people that can no longer commute on a daily basis
The ferry going was a major disappointment to all and the consequences linger on
I will not thank you for the extra cost and added time spent in traffic
My advice to anybody thinking of moving to Tilbury is dont there isn’t much there and the council as only interested in taking more amenities away ps sort the fly tipping out
We would like the Tilbury to gravesend ferry to run a bit later. Also to run at weekends Saturday and Sundays we miss the ferry
Thanks.
What a waste I used the ferry alot now I have to travel to London by train to get into Kent so I have to come back on myself apart from the train fare I agree if the ferry was to re-run a later timetable would be better perhaps instead of 7pm 9pm would be much better also on Saturday and Sunday.
Does train for the ferry still stop at Tilbury Riverside
I used the ferry for 28 years to get to my place if work in Gravesend, door to door 25 minutes. Now every day is a gamble on the bridge and tunnels being clear of incident, which on many occassions, since the ferry stoped running, it hasn’t been, meaning I either can’t get into work on time or my journey home is a nightmare sometimes taking up to 2 hours.
The ferry was a vital service not only for employees but for people wanting a day out and a change of scenary, and also school children. We need this service brought back asap.
The Cruise ship passenger needed the ferry to get to Gravesend shops an town an Kent passengers to get to cruise on Ambassador cruises
Saying that this service is the most cost-effective way to travel between both ends is an understatement. I pay £30 for fuel virtually every other day leaving a deep hole in my pocket . Please help fix the issues immediately. Thanks.
This is a very honest comment. Please improve on your payment system to prevent leakages. I have observed with disdain how lots of the passengers eveade/dodge ferry fares. With this attitude, bankruptcy is inevitable.
To all those above comments I have to say that this was a very life line series for all kinds of businesses, specifically I like to mention something others didn’t know about it, it’s our fantastic Grammar Schools in Gravesham Kent which attracts students from Essex and other London boroughs.
I knew quite few students who were using this extremely important ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend. I really don’t understand why the local government officials are not negotiating with each other over the fares or costs of their transport to sorting out the expenses and starting again the service for the benefit of their own residents/ citizens?
It’s a shame that the two councils are not communicating on this issue!