The council declined a grant for the Hythe ferry. The ferry links Hythe and Southampton. Problems arose in August.
Liberal Democrat Malcolm Wade asked for support. He wanted a one-time grant. The Conservatives control the council now. He called the ferry “well-loved.”
The Hythe ferry stopped last August. Engineers said its pontoon was unsafe. The ferry goes between Hythe and Southampton. Fran Collins said a new pontoon costs £250,000. The old pontoon cannot be fixed.
Wade said the ferry aids tourism. It links to the Solent Way path. The path includes the King Charles trail. He thinks the grant would restore the path. Wade also said the ferry firm wants to improve. They are exploring new business ideas.
He also mentioned the ferry is profitable. David Harrison agreed with Wade. He urged council to help. He wanted the council to support it.
Richard Young said the council should not support the ferry. He noted that pension firms own the ferry. Derek Tipp also disagreed with giving money. He worried about the ferry’s future.
He felt it could need endless funding. The council cannot keep funding a failing business, he explained. The council voted against the grant. Twenty members voted no. Seventeen members voted yes. Five members abstained.