Published: February 27, 2009
Burnham-On-Sea ferry service moves closer as businessman visits town

The prospect of a multi-million ferry service coming to Burnham-On-Sea moved a step closer this week when ferry bosses met councillors in the town for talks.

The group, which included businessman Chris Marrow and senior officials from Sedgemoor District Council, were spotted on Burnham's jetty, as pictured above.

Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report last October how Mr Marrow is planning to set-up a £5million ferry venture which will operate services around the Bristol Channel, between Somerset and Wales.

This week's meeting in Burnham included Sedgemoor District Council leader Duncan McGinty, Chief Executive Kerry Rickards, Corporate Director of Regeneration Doug Bamsey, plus district councillor Neville Jones and Town Clerk Eileen Shaw.

Speaking after the meeting, Chris Marrow told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It was a very positive meeting and Burnham is still a definite possibility for one of the ferry's routes."

"We've done lots of market research in recent weeks and found 60 per cent of Burnham people would be interested in using the ferry service, much the same as Minehead."

"As we'd like to find a long-term solution for Burnham's jetty, I also visited it this week."

"The visit confirmed that from our point of view the jetty could be used by our ferries after some work."

Mr Marrow also revealed that a new name will soon be unveiled for the ferry service, which is currently called Severn Sea Ferries.

And he said the company is "very close" to acquiring its new vessels.

Cllr Neville Jones said the meeting had been "very positive" and that "the town council and Sedgemoor remain committed to bringing the service to Burnham."

Our photo (top) shows the visitors on Burnham's jetty this week and, middle, the proposed ferry and its route around the Bristol Channel