'Clear message needed' over Mersey ferry problems

Liverpool City Region's deputy mayor has called on transport bosses to explain why Mersey Ferries have not been running for nearly three weeks.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside's The Hot Seat, Graham Morgan said he would press Merseytravel for an update about when passenger ferry services would resume on the river.

Mersey Ferries has said that one of its vessels, The Snowdrop, would be out of action for "several more weeks" because of an "ongoing mechanical issue with its engine", while its new £26m ferry, the Royal Daffodil, has yet to start passenger services despite having been officially launched.

The last passenger ferry service operated on 10 October.

Morgan, who is also leader of Knowsley Council, said there should have been an announcement from Merseytravel, which owns and operates Mersey Ferries, "very early on, to explain what the situation is [because] it's so important people know where they stand".

He said: "There was an opportunity missed to explain right from the start. I think they should have explained exactly what happened."

Mersey Ferries has not specified details of the issue with the Snowdrop's engine.

But Morgan said the 1960-built ferry had been "struggling for a while" and "is showing its age".

Meanwhile, the Royal Daffodil is said to be undergoing "essential works", with the hope it will welcome passengers aboard from early November.

Morgan said he would press Merseytravel for specific dates.

Commuters are having to take replacement buses, which the combined authority said were running during peak hours.

Morgan said: "The [engineering] team at Cammell Laird and the combined authority are working tirelessly to get the ferries back in operation - it needs to be resolved very quickly."

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