Cleddau King in service prior to being purchased, modified by H&W and entering service as MV Portaferry 1975 – 2001

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In Wales, from the 1960’s/early 1970’s approx 237,000 vehicles were ferried across annually; In the first year of Cleddau bridge opening in 1975, 885,000 (Eight Hundred & Eighty Five Thousand) vehicles crossed over the new bridge; With the permanent crossing, regional expansion in the surrounding areas, growth of oil refining businesses and allied industries, in 2024, the crossing number stands at 4,745,000 (Four million, Seven Hundred & Forty Five Thousand) vehicles (ferry 650 vehicles daily vs bridge 13,000 vehicles daily) , or approx 20 times more traffic than currently cross Strangford with full service capability (i.e. no breakdowns and 2nd ferry utilized at peak periods)