Time Is Running Out for the Hythe-Southampton Ferry

Campaigner Andrew Pope

Employees of the Hythe Ferry are still worried about their jobs, with the 90-day consultation period for redundancies hanging over them.

And the users of the Ferry, whether from the Southampton side of Southampton Water or the Waterside side, are still unsure whether the service will continue.

Meanwhile, congestion and air quality declines on Southampton's roads because the Ferry service is failing our area.

From our meetings and conversations with residents and other interested parties, it appears that the Hythe Pier Train and Ferry Action Group, under the current self-appointed leadership, is incorrectly named.

As previously posted here, and gathering a lot of attention from residents of Southampton and the Waterside (we know the website stats!), it appears that this Action Group is not interested in Southampton, despite the fact that it is the Hythe to Southampton Ferry.

Campaigner Denise Wyatt

Why would this be?

Because it appears to us and others that under the current leadership, the Hythe "Action Group" is not really interested in the Hythe Ferry.

It only seems to be interested in the Hythe Pier. Surely this can't be true. But if it is then it needs to be renamed to the "Hythe Pier Action Group", surely?

Strangely, one of the self-appointed leaders even accused us Southampton campaigners of "bluster".

Meanwhile, we experienced and genuine campaigners to save the Hythe to Southampton Ferry and the Pier have been busy trying to save both the Pier and the Ferry.

Since our last update, we have met and had discussions with businesses, including a potential operator. We've been in touch with several councils involved in the future of the Ferry and especially regarding its landing on the Southampton side of Southampton Water.

We also note Mr Willcock's letter this week in the Daily Echo. We agree with him. Time is running out for the Hythe Ferry and the situation is serious.

The "Action Group" does want to save the Ferry, doesn't it, or is it really only interested in the Hythe Pier? Why is it dithering?

We've got breaking news for them too.

This week, a group of Southampton residents called Southampton Friends of Hythe Pier, has submitted an application to list Hythe Pier as an Asset of Community Value, which would give the Southampton Friends of Hythe Pier extra legal rights to bid on the Pier, if it is put up for sale.

This group was organised by Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt, with assistance from other campaigners. Perhaps it will be Southampton residents that prove to be the saviours of Hythe Pier.

We will continue to deliver substantially on our campaigns, while the leadership of the "Action Group" continues to dither and only gives the image of doing something.

If you want to join us in our campaigns, Contact Us.

Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt

Founders, Southampton Friends of Hythe Pier

UPDATED: Save the Hythe to Southampton Ferry!

The wobbly Pier is matched by the wobbling Action Group

BBC South Today Late Bulletin 24th Nov 2016

"It's very important that the Hythe ferry keeps going because if it doesn't, we're going to have even more traffic and even more air pollution coming through our area."

said Councillor Andrew Pope on BBC South Today on the late bulletin of 24th November.

Andrew has sent the below letter to all cabinet members of the Southampotn City Council. The cabinet is the controlling body that makes decisions for the Council.

Hopefully we will get a useful response.

UPDATE (1st Dec 2016): NO OFFER OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OR OTHER ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN MADE BY SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL, despite the urgent situation and my letter below. The only offer has been from the Leader Councillor Simon Letts to meet with any campaign group, an offer which I have indicated to the Leader of the Council that I may take up through my contacts and conversations I've had on the Hythe to Southampton Ferry.

The Leader of the Council has also confirmed that other than Councillor Pope, NO campaign group has contacted him about the Ferry, including those calling themselves the "Hythe Pier and Ferry Action Group". This is despite being challenged to do so by me and other Southampton residents at last week's public meeting in Hythe, at which Cllr Pope was the only Southampton councillor present. This leaves several worrying questions including:

1. Why do they ignore Southampton?

2. Are the "leaders" of that campaign group competent?

3. Do they think that the Hythe Ferry goes around in circles, and doesn't actually ever go to Southampton? It isn't the Hythe to Hythe Ferry!!!!

Those under threat of redundancy on the Ferry, and those who use the Ferry, can't afford to wait to find out.

Meanwhile, we Independent campaigners will continue our campaigning to improve air quality in Southampton and to reduce road traffic congestion.

UPDATE: (7th Dec 2016) We are waiting for more answers from various councils, developers, groups, businesses and people. We also have several meetings planned. Meanwhile, the so-called "Action Group" seems to be foundering on its actions, despite the 90-day redundancy notices still being in force.

What exactly are they doing?

It's all a bit secretive and slow, isn't it?

Tell us what you think via our Contact Us page.

Like the Councillor Andrew Pope page on Facebook or follow the @SaveHytheFerry or @CllrPope Twitter feeds for more on this campaign and all other Independent work.

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Good Morning,

The Hythe to Southampton Ferry is under threat.

I am concerned about the staff who have been issued a 90-day consultation on redundancies.

I am concerned about the users of the service, both on the Waterside and Southampton sides.

But most directly to the Redbridge ward and the people I represent, I am concerned about the decline and possible extinction of this service.

I hope that you share these concerns.

Yesterday evening, I attended a public meeting in Hythe to organise a campaign to save the Hythe Ferry. It was a packed hall. I was the only Southampton councillor present.

A member of the public from Southampton asked whether the campaign had contacted Southampton City Council. It seemed from the response that they had not.  Do you know of any contact please?

I have offered my support, in person and in writing, and I am writing to you to ask what support the Council will now offer.

I urge you to maximise the effort and funds for a sustainable service.

A few weeks ago, I also asked the Leader and current Cabinet member for Transport for the reasoning behind the cut to the Hythe Ferry subsidy in the 2013 budget, as it was never explained to councillors at the time despite them being whipped to vote for it. I had no response from Cllr Rayment. I did have a half-useful from the Leader.

The Leader was under the impression that the Hampshire subsidy is under threat. It was confirmed at the public meeting by the County Councillor for Hythe, Malcolm Wade, that it is not.

What will Southampton City Council do to ensure that the Hythe Ferry cannot just survive, but to thrive?
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Regards,

Councillor Andrew Pope
Independent Councillor for Redbridge ward
Southampton City Council