The Chair had requested a verbal update on the Ferry which will be provided at the meeting.
Minutes:
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The Principal Project Surveyor provided the Panel with detail of the Borough Council and Norfolk County Council study on the ferry infrastructure which had been commissioned in 2022. The study had concluded that approximately £6 million of investment was required for a solution for the link span and pontoon, both sides, and for a new ferry with wheels.
Following the results of the study, it had been determined that the business case wasn’t viable, and the results of the study had gone no further.
The Principal Project Surveyor also explained that work was ongoing between the Borough and County Council to determine the ownership of the ferry structures.
Health and safety checks had also been carried out and some repairs required to the King’s Lynn side had been identified. A contractor was in the process of being procured to carry out the repair works required.
The Chair had invited the operator of the King’s Lynn ferry to the meeting to address the Panel and the operator of the ferry explained that he was pleased that work was being carried out to the steps on the King’s Lynn side as someone had recently fell over. He commented that although minor remedial work was being carried out, more investment was required in the ferry service as it was a valuable public service.
The Principal Project Surveyor commented that a Structural Assessment of both landing stages was required and he was in the process of arranging for this assessment to be carried out.
The Chair thanked officers and the operator of the ferry for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.
Councillor Colwell referred to the Norfolk County Council Devolution Deal and that it had recently been put on hold for three months. He asked if the Council would be putting in a request for funding for the ferry upgrade and other improvements to public transport serving the town centre. He asked that Cabinet give consideration to submitting requests to Norfolk County Council for funding opportunities as a result of the Devolution Deal.
The Corporate Health and Safety Officer explained that the £6 million investment identified by the Study was disproportionate to the amount of people that used the service, therefore alternative options needed to be considered and these should be based on the outcome of a structural survey.
The Chair asked if the Council had looked at the vacant Del Monte site which could be used to extend the ferry car park.
The Assistant Director commented that the Council was engaged in the Devolution process and working with colleagues at Norfolk County Council to look at routes to funding and investment opportunities.
The operator of the ferry commented that there had been a reduction in the use of the ferry post-Covid, but he also felt that the state of the landing stages could put users off. He commented that extending the car park would encourage more people to use the ferry and that more signage, including ‘park and sail’ would encourage more visitors to use the service.
Councillor Bubb asked for consideration to be given to moving the landing stage King’s Lynn side to a more suitable location.
Councillor Collingham commented that a strategy was needed, and firstly consideration needed to be given to if the ferry should be promoted more as a tourist attraction or active travel link. She commented that the ferry should be part of the heritage offering for the town centre.
Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that the ferry was an important commuter route and transport link and Town Deal Board funding should be used to improve the service. She commented that accessibility was an issue and proper walkways were required. Councillor Kemp commented that £6 million wasn’t too much to invest in this important service for residents and tourists and investment would result in increased footfall in the town.
The Executive Director commented that work was ongoing with the Borough and County Council and health and safety checks would be carried out as required.
The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity explained that he would press for health and safety issues to be dealt with. He acknowledged that there were long term challenges due to funding and highlighted future opportunities that could benefit the ferry such as the Guildhall Project.
The Chief Executive informed the Panel that work would be carried out to commission the structural survey so that repair works could be identified and work would continue to determine the ownership of the Ferry.
RESOLVED: The update was noted.