Ferry to remain closed for safety checks
West Lynn Ferry CompanyA ferry service used by 400 people weekly is to stay shut for much of February due to safety issues.
Inspections have taken place on the landing sites of the West Lynn Ferry, which crosses the River Great Ouse between West Lynn and King's Lynn.
The results are being considered by health and safety experts at West Norfolk Borough Council and Norfolk County Council.
The authorities said they aimed to have a plan of action by 17 February.
Problems were was identified during scheduled maintenance on the West Lynn side on 14 January.
There were structural issues and cracked concrete on the steps used to embark and disembark the boat.
The decision to close the service was made on safety grounds.
Ben Ellis, who operates the ferry, said he hoped it would be running again soon and that customers would return.
"I'm sure they will come back," he said.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the passengers know me and they get on fantastic with me. I'm always trying to help them out and we have a laugh.
"They know they are safe with me as I've got a background in the fishing industry".
'Park-and-ride'
The King's Lynn Civic Society said a ferry, had carried passengers across the river since 1285, when the town was one of the most significant ports in England.
The closure means a diversion for passengers of at least three miles (5km) in each direction.
Alexandra Kemp, an Independent borough and county councillor, criticised the delay in making the repairs.
"The ferry is the park-and-ride and walk-and-ride for the villages on the west of the Ouse, like West Lynn, Clenchwarton, Terrington and further afield," she said.
"Funds need to be allocated immediately for the permanent improvement of the crumbling ferry landing stage in West Lynn, as well as to the temporary repairs".
A spokesperson for West Norfolk Borough Council acknowledged the loss of service would be frustrating to both the operator and passengers.
But they said it would be "inappropriate" to ask the operator to make any changes without being certain that the infrastructure could be brought up to standard to allow operations to resume while "more permanent options" were considered and costed.
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