FRUSTRATION is mounting about a lack of inter-island connectivity as Islanders and organisations in Jersey and Guernsey are left wondering how they will travel to events from the end of March.
A petition launched by a concerned Guernsey resident last week has already attracted more than 400 signatures, while those looking at inter-island trips this spring and summer, particularly sporting bodies and clubs, have been offered little information so far.
The problem follows the breakdown of a joint tender exercise between the islands last October, with Guernsey taking the unilateral decision to sign a contract with Brittany Ferries and Jersey subsequently confirming its choice of Danish operator DFDS.
Both companies, as well as the Bailiwicks’ respective governments, have indicated that they are committed to offering the links. Brittany Ferries has released a timetable with one weekly inter-island crossing on a Wednesday, but no information has yet been provided by DFDS on inter-island sailings.
Sporting representatives have been particularly vocal about the importance of being able to travel for “local derby” contests against island rivals, with the Jersey Sports Council highlighting the need for “long day-trips” on Saturdays and Sundays that would enable teams and individual sportspeople to travel, compete and return home on the same day.
Council vice-chair Ian Cuming said a meeting had taken place with government officials and Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel at the start of February, but while the talks had been positive they had yet to result in any concrete developments.
“We stressed the importance of sports tourism for both the visitor economy and for those wanting to be involved in competitive encounters, and provided a list of all the various events that were planned across the spring and summer,” he said.
“But the difficulty is that preparations will already have been made for a number of these dates – in some cases that work started last summer.”
Mr Cuming said it wasn’t just passenger links that were needed, with sports requiring “equipment” such as rowing, motorsport and equestrianism looking for vehicle ferry links.
One ferry operator, Islands Unlimited, announced last month that it would be offering passenger services at weekends starting in June.
Guernsey Raiders Rugby Club is among the organisations facing the largest bill, spending an estimated £40,000 to transport hundreds of young players for Junior Siam games in Jersey in April by sea and air, plus a further £10,000 for a charter vessel for four adult sides competing in senior Siam Cup contests in early May.
“It’s caused a huge amount of extra work and uncertainty,” said Guernsey Raiders vice-chairman Chris Gnapp.
The online petition was launched last Friday by Derryn De Carteret, who regularly attends dog shows in Jersey from her home in Guernsey. It calls for weekend sailings, including an option for vehicles.
The petition can be found at ipetitions.com/petition/inter-island-ferry-service-with-vehicles.
A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said: “We are working closely with all stakeholders to deliver inter-island connectivity this summer.
“We know that this is a real concern for those in both islands, but we are sure flexibility and co-operation will lead to more options in the coming weeks.”
The JEP also asked DFDS and the Economy Department to comment.
