Strong objections to Kent County Council’s consultation on withdrawing the funding for the Tilbury Ferry.
We urge Kent County Council and Thurrock Council to maintain the vital transport link, with no practical public transport alternative.
In hopes of lobbying for a long-term solution, the Department for Transport and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities for support, partners have been approached.
Partners include: Thames Estuary Board, Port of London Authority, Port of Tilbury, DP World, National Highways (from the Lower Thames Crossing perspective), and prospective ferry service operators.
Cllr John Burden, Leader, said the ferry service must remain.
“Economically the ferry has enabled port workers and seafarers to live in Gravesend and work in Tilbury Docks. Socially it linked the two communities of Tilbury and Gravesend together with a common focus on the River Thames. “More than 107,000 trips are made each year. Revenue covering more than 50% of the costs.
“Importantly it provides a vital service for schoolchildren from Tilbury attending schools in Gravesend. Commuting to and from the communities and jobs on both sides of the Thames, tourism, and access to social, leisure and retail facilities in Gravesend from Tilbury.”
Alternative public transport route would include three buses, with limited frequencies. The journey would take just under 2 hours, and at a higher cost than the ferry. The ferry takes only 5 minutes.
Driving takes at least 30 minutes, dependent on the Dartford Crossing.
The National Concessionary Travel Scheme pass is valid on the ferry service. 11% of all passengers use passes based on disability. The same passes will work on the alternative routes, but multiple changes mean it is not an effective replacement.
Cllr Burden added: “Any move to end the ferry service would be at odds with the Thames Freeport initiative and the planned expansion of Tilbury docks with the jobs that will result.
“DP World and major employers such as Amazon are close to the ferry landing stage at Tilbury.
“The Thames Estuary Board is seeking substantial growth on both sides of the river, while in Gravesham, we have ambitious plans for thousands of new homes and jobs across several brownfield sites along the riverside.
“Cross river connectivity that is accessible to all types of users is an important component of an overall growth strategy for the Thames Estuary.”
Should the Lower Thames Crossing go ahead it would not open before 2032/33 at the earliest. Any bus route would be indirect and need a similar level of subsidy to the ferry.
Cllr Burden added: “We completely understand and sympathise with the financial issues faced by KCC and Thurrock. Like every council in the country, we are tackling our own budget challenges and understand the conundrums these bring.
“While in these circumstances difficult decisions must be made, they have to be carefully and sensibly weighed against the social and economic impact they would have on local communities.
“The Tilbury Ferry simply should not and cannot be sacrificed in the name of budget rationalisation – it is too important to the communities of northwest Kent and south Essex for that.”