Legal action against Wightlink is delayed (From This is Hampshire)
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Legal action against Wightlink is delayed
9:30am Sunday 19th July 2009 in
LEGAL action against new cross-Solent ferries has been delayed, ending fears that sailings could be cancelled during the busiest period of the year.
A High Court hearing that could result in vessels on the Lymington to Yarmouth route being withdrawn from service will not take place until after the holiday season.
The news will be music to the ears of thousands of families planning a summer break on the Isle of Wight.
Lymington River Association (LRA) launched legal action in February – the same month the multi-million- pound ferries came into service.
Members accused of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of failing to fully assess the potential impact of the vessels on the environment.
They warned that ferry operator Wightlink could be forced to stop using the craft until the assessment had been completed.
The hearing was repeatedly postponed, raising fears that any instruction to halt the craft could coincide with the tourist season, when Wightlink’s vessels are packed with holidaymakers heading for the Island.
However, the LRA has announced that the case will not now take place until September or October at the earliest.
Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner said: “It’s a good development. I’m very pleased that the case won’t be heard until the autumn, although obviously there’s concern about what might happen in the future.
“The ferry service is a lifeline – an essential link with the mainland.”
LRA chairman Marcus Malanathy also welcomed the latest date for the hearing, saying it would give the association more time to gather evidence against the ferries.
Mr Malanathy claimed that the 1,496-ton vessels were too big for the river and were damaging the waterway.
He added that the Government would have the power to prevent the craft from operating if the association won the case.
“Wightlink would have to withdraw the ferries and either charter alternative vessels or bring the old C-class vessels back into use,” said Mr Malanathy.
“We desperately need a ferry service – but the vessels must be the right size.”
A Wightlink spokesman said: “We don’t believe the ferries are damaging the environment and are confident there won’t be a case to answer.”
Comments(18)
Andy Locks Heath
says...
10:54am Sun 19 Jul 09
southy
says...
11:09am Sun 19 Jul 09
madmatt
says...
11:31am Sun 19 Jul 09
Big Boy
says...
12:50pm Sun 19 Jul 09
southy
says...
1:03pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Andy Locks Heath
says...
4:19pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Saintly
says...
4:24pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Have they actually watched the amount of wash out of one of the new ferries?
IT'S LESS THAN THE OLD ONES....
Or is the problem that they don't like progress? I'd love to see stats on actually how many 'members' of the Royal Lymington actually sail...would make interesting reading I'm sure.
Don't wait for Lymington Town Council to get involved tho...as with the Sea Water Baths, they'll delay any announcement until they've thought of an excuse...now, if they were invited to the opening of an envelope...different story...
IanRRR
says...
4:32pm Sun 19 Jul 09
“Wightlink would have to withdraw the ferries and either charter alternative vessels or bring the old C-class vessels back into use,” said Mr Malanathy
What a waste of space this guy is. The old C class vessels were scrapped weeks ago. Even if there were suitable vessels available for charter(which is doubtful), Wightlink would not do it! This clown is completely out of touch, except with his Pims drinking mates.
Vessels similar to the Wight class ships operate throughout the world, causing no environmental damage whatsoever. The LRA are on their way to the bankrupcy courts with this action, and I will be delighted to witness it. Unless they withdraw their action, they will be a laughing stock when the case gets heard. Bring on the evidence you big boys, and watch as it is destroyed by the real experts...
southy
says...
4:43pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Andy Locks Heath wrote:lol i know but what fun it would be in picking holes in them.
We'll never hear the end of it Southy!
Forester7
says...
4:44pm Sun 19 Jul 09
IanRRR wrote:Agree with your sentiments but it's not true that the C-class vessels have been scrapped. They are moored in Southampton Water at Marchwood.
“Wightlink would have to withdraw the ferries and either charter alternative vessels or bring the old C-class vessels back into use,” said Mr Malanathy
What a waste of space this guy is. The old C class vessels were scrapped weeks ago. Even if there were suitable vessels available for charter(which is doubtful), Wightlink would not do it! This clown is completely out of touch, except with his Pims drinking mates.
Vessels similar to the Wight class ships operate throughout the world, causing no environmental damage whatsoever. The LRA are on their way to the bankrupcy courts with this action, and I will be delighted to witness it. Unless they withdraw their action, they will be a laughing stock when the case gets heard. Bring on the evidence you big boys, and watch as it is destroyed by the real experts...
The voice of the people
says...
4:47pm Sun 19 Jul 09
IanRRR
says...
11:17pm Sun 19 Jul 09
Forester7 wrote:Oops, sorry, I bow to your greater knowledge. I read that they had actually been scrapped, but obviously wrong on that one. Wightlink would be well advised to get that job done. The old vessels are earmarked for scrapping because they are in a terrible condition. Not even a third world Country will buy them as they are a liability. So no matter what a judge says, they are very unlikely to ever see service again.
IanRRR wrote: “Wightlink would have to withdraw the ferries and either charter alternative vessels or bring the old C-class vessels back into use,” said Mr Malanathy What a waste of space this guy is. The old C class vessels were scrapped weeks ago. Even if there were suitable vessels available for charter(which is doubtful), Wightlink would not do it! This clown is completely out of touch, except with his Pims drinking mates. Vessels similar to the Wight class ships operate throughout the world, causing no environmental damage whatsoever. The LRA are on their way to the bankrupcy courts with this action, and I will be delighted to witness it. Unless they withdraw their action, they will be a laughing stock when the case gets heard. Bring on the evidence you big boys, and watch as it is destroyed by the real experts...Agree with your sentiments but it's not true that the C-class vessels have been scrapped. They are moored in Southampton Water at Marchwood.
Major Sir Jerry Pending
says...
8:50am Mon 20 Jul 09
Duncan Disorderly
says...
9:33am Mon 20 Jul 09
8:50am Mon 20 Jul 09
Whata prat Andrew Turner is! He says that the ferry service is a life-line yet only a few months ago he was criticising the ferry companies and calling for an investigation into pricing by the OFT. Fortunately that idea got thrown out but the guy will obviously say anything to get publicity. "
There's nothing inconsistent in saying that the ferries are a much-needed service, but the fares are too high. The Solent is notorious as the most expensive stretch of water in the world.
mick1
says...
9:49am Mon 20 Jul 09
Give this a little more time and LRA will be exposed for what they are, a few well off s**t stirrers who don't have a clue.
mr.southampton
says...
10:28am Mon 20 Jul 09
Linesman wrote:No. It seems that the security words aren't totally random. I'm taking a guess that there is a list of words for each article.
Never mind the ordinary persons that need the ferry. The LRA must ensure that vital business does not interfere with the leisure activities of the yachties! How appropriate that the security word is: rich-mind! Mystic Meg at work?
This would explain why in every thread at least one person refers to the security word.
Please stop.
Hazle Nutt
says...
1:29pm Mon 20 Jul 09
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Linesman says...
10:00am Sun 19 Jul 09
How appropriate that the security word is:
rich-mind!
Mystic Meg at work?