Gravesend to Tilbury Ferry: Call for service not to be axed

A Kent council leader has objected to the potential loss of a ferry service which links Gravesend and Tilbury.

John Burden, leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said the Tilbury Ferry service should not be "sacrificed in the name of budget rationalisation".

Kent County Council (KCC) and Thurrock Council fund the service but its contract expires in March.

Thurrock Council said it would discuss with KCC how to "maintain the service without recourse to public funds".

Andrew Jefferies, Thurrock's council leader, said: "We look forward to our two councils working together to explore what possibilities exist to maintain the ferry service without having to use local council tax payers' money to provide financial support."

Since 2000, KCC has financially supported the ferry service with Thurrock Council, after the previous operator pulled out.

However, the funding contract runs out in March.

KCC launched a public consultation to understand how the service was used and the potential impact of axing it.

A KCC spokesperson said "no decisions" would be made on the future of the service until feedback was analysed.

In response to KCC's public consultation, Gravesham Borough Council has "strongly objected" to the potential loss of the ferry service.

Mr Burden said the service "linked the two communities of Tilbury and Gravesend together" allowing those who live in Gravesend to work in Tilbury Docks.

The council leader added the ferry service "provides a vital service for schoolchildren from Tilbury attending schools in Gravesend", while allowing access to social, leisure and retail facilities in Gravesend from Tilbury.

The consultation ended Sunday and a KCC spokesperson said officers were "working to review the submissions received".

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