Plans for ferry link with English town

CORK may soon get a new ferry link, if a west of England town has its way.

A highly-influential group in Ilfracombe, north Devon, has been in talks with an unidentified ferry company, which could involve the use of a conventional vessel or hydro-foil catamarans to link both ports.

The Ilfracombe and District Alliance, which compiled the report, is preparing to put the findings into action.

Members of the organisation have already held tentative talks with tourist interests in Ireland and are confident the plan would benefit both regions.

Lieutenant Commander Rob Lawson, who is Ilfracombe’s harbour master, is one of a number of people behind the plan.

“I think it’s extremely realistic. The key to it is to develop a new outer breakwater in our harbour.

“We also want to develop a marina and a new commercial quay. The whole project will cost in the region of E50m, which isn’t very much in today’s terms,” Lt Comdr Lawson said.

The group, in association with a larger regional tourism body Destination SouthWest, has already been in contact with cruise line operators and has been speaking to a ferry company that already operates between Britain and Ireland.

“We’re providing ideas for the ferry company to extend its services,” he said.

The Ilfracombe and District Alliance wants to have its Cork ferry service running within seven years.

“It will require some external funding, some of which could come from EU Structural Funds, which we will be looking for,” Lt Comdr Lawson said.

Ilfracombe may only have a population of 10,000, but it is viewed as a natural gateway to Devon and has a lot to offer.

The group also knows if a ferry operated from its harbour to Cork it would attract a number of tourists in both directions.

It would also make it easier for people living in the south and south-west of England to get to Cork, as Swansea is the nearest ferry port.