Published: October 17, 2008
Exclusive: Ferry operator unveils plans for Burnham-On-Sea service

Multi-million pound plans to launch a ferry service between Burnham-On-Sea and South Wales have been unveiled for the first time this week.

Entrepreneur Chris Marrow is setting up a £5million venture called Severn Sea Ferries which will operate ferry services around the Bristol Channel, between Somerset and Wales.

He held talks with Burnham town and district councillor Neville Jones this week (pictured) and discussed the plans with members of Sedgemoor Tourism Association at their AGM on Thursday evening (October 16th).

Mr Marrow told Burnham-On-Sea.com that he is "strongly considering" operating a ferry between Burnham-On-Sea and Cardiff in the year 2010.

The ambitious plans include buying two 40-metre Fast Cat ferries, similar to the one above, from an operator on the Isle of Wight.

"Each ferry would hold up to 350 people and have a top speed of around 34 knots," he said. "Customers would therefore be able to get to Wales in a matter of minutes."

He added that the venture has been in planning for more than three years and is now in an "advanced stage of development" with the benefit of "solid financial backers who are committed to the scheme."

Mr Marrow conceded he is also considering Minehead and Ilfracombe as other starting points, but that Burnham is "high on the list" of potential sites. The ferry service could operate 12 months a year, rather than just in the tourist season, if there is demand from commuters, he said.

"There is no other stretch of water in the world like the Bristol Channel where there are such dense populations on both sides of the estuary that don't have an active ferry service. This is what makes it such an attractive proposition for us."

"We've already done a lot of market research on potential demand in the Bristol Channel and more is planned in coming months to assess the best sites. Questionnaires are also being distributed to get further feedback on the idea."

Mr Marrow concluded: "It's too early to say whether Burnham is the right place for this service, but I can confirm we are strongly considering it, and would definitely welcome feedback from potential users."

Mr Marrow, pictured below, also revealed that he would like to see Burnham's crumbling jetty "returned to its former glory" to enable the ferries to moor alongside it and pick up passengers.

The comments come after a bid to get Burnham's jetty listed as a 'structure of special historic interest' in order to secure hundreds of thousands of pounds towards much-needed repairs was turned down earlier this year by English Nature. It claimed the jetty was "not of sufficient special architectural or historic interest to merit listing."

Cllr Neville Jones told Burnham-On-Sea.com he welcomes the proposals. "This is very exciting news. I have been involved in the discussions for several months now and feel a service like this could be very good for Burnham."

"It would also add more weight to the proposals to restore the town's jetty so that the service could fully operate."

Bob Nicholson, Chairman of Sedgemoor Tourism Association, said he too would welcome a ferry service. "It would be great for the area if the plans do materialize. Such a service would become a popular tourist attraction."

What's your view - would you use a ferry service from Burnham to Wales? Let us know your opinions by getting in contact here or posting on Burnham's forums