click image above for draft business case – November 2024
SURVEY NOW CLOSED: The survey and summarised comments, covers a range of ferry service aspects including current usage, potential future usage, satisfaction with the existing service, preferences for alternatives, willingness to pay, and perceived impacts. SURVEY RESULTS & SUMMARY OF COMMENTS are available for viewing by clicking on ferry image below. The mix of multiple-choice, ranking, and open-ended questions should provide a comprehensive view of public opinion on the matter.
There was a range of survey questions designed to gauge public opinion on an alternative crossing to the existing Strangford Lough ferry service. Survey results shall be returned to current DfI Minister, John O’Dowd MLA, in response to letter received from the Minister in September 2024:
5th September 2024: This web page is aiming to chronicle an initiative to explore the long running quest for a self financing alternative to the existing ferry service across Strangford Lough. No doubt, it shall be slow, disheartening and may reach a permanent road block, in a literal sense. But hope costs nothing. We have a written response from the current DfI Minister John O’Dowd MLA. Our task is to counter every negative comment made with reliable, realistic facts and seek determination that there exists the economic case for an alternative, self-financing, permanent means of passing over this relatively narrow stretch of water. If the crossing can be improved, on a cross community basis, for the betterment of all locals, young and elder, assisting areas such as Millise / Portavogie, and all visitors to the region, generating greater economic prosperity in the Ards and wider Lecale area, both areas deemed backwaters, far from the action areas/economic centres of Greater Belfast and Newry, then something positive. Never mind the grand ideas of a United Ireland/New Ireland and border polls; within the province, there is plenty that can be done in the short/medium term to improve the lives and fortunes of everyone across the communities. Lets see where this adventure goes ! (Term ‘you’ can apply to anyone and everyone). Those who campaigned before this initiative, and were not listened to, laughed at, dismissed, or not supported in their efforts, deserve recognition, which shall follow later. They had the vision !
- The letter expresses satisfaction with the current ferry service, describing it as “reliable” and “the most economical method” of providing a transportation link. This suggests a reluctance to consider alternatives.
The following is the big picture worldwide, with figures for crossings, typical tolls etc. As the old saying goes, before you make up your mind, open it !