Mudeford Ferry back on the water seven months after pontoon storm damage
A POPULAR ferry service has celebrated its long-awaited relaunch, seven months after storms put it out of action because of a damaged pontoon.
Mudeford Ferry was back yesterday (Thursday), running crossings between Mudeford Quay and the beach at Mudeford Sandbank.
This followed a series of delays in work being carried out by BCP Council to repair the Mudeford Spit pontoon.
Along with the tidal bridge, it had been left unsafe having fallen victim to Storm Ciarán in November last year.
The council attributed the hold-ups to a number of factors including environmental protections on the area and having to secure special permission for the work.
The reconstruction finally got under way on Monday, with the new pontoon delivered to the site by barge.
Welcoming yesterday’s relaunch, owner/operator Paul Derham told the A&T: “We’re pleased it’s up and running and we’re back in operation again.
“It’s done and dusted. We just had a bit of a break in between.”
Looking ahead to a busy summer season, he added: “We’re pleased to make the most of the great weather, knowing the winter was extra rainy.”
Paul has run the service for the past 21 years, before which he worked his way through the ranks with P&O to staff captain on the Aurora cruise ship.
Progress updates on the work had been posted on the ferry’s Facebook page, with the relaunch announcement welcomed by many followers.
“Brilliant! We have missed you!” one person posted.
But there was some frustration at the delays, with another writing: “All the money Paul from Mudeford Ferry has lost and Christchurch ferry as well as the Beach House, Mudeford.
“So much for high priority BCP.”
A council spokesperson told the A&T the works included replacing the floating pontoon and the bridge sections which attach to the main fixed walkway.
“This is largely due to the elements affected by Storm Ciarán, as well as wear and tear from the rise and fall of the tides, and the impact of the vessels docking on this pontoon,” they explained.
“This area is a sensitive protected natural environment and has several environmental designations, including being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Site of Nature Conservation Interest and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands status.
“In order to carry out the work the council had to obtain Marine Management Organisation consent, which involves consultation with both the Environment Agency and Natural England, plus others as they see fit.”
The spokesperson added: “There were also restrictions placed on when this work could take place due to the sensitivities around migrating salmonids and the feeding grounds of wading birds.”
