The Mersey Ferries service, suspended since October 13, is expected to return soon, according to Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor Cllr Graham Morgan. Appearing on BBC Radio Merseyside's The Hot Seat show, the deputy mayor, who also leads Knowsley Council, said the Snowdrop ferry, also known as the Dazzle Ferry, had been "struggling for a while now" and needed repairs that took "an awful lot longer" than anticipated.
Repair delays and communication concerns
Cllr Morgan acknowledged a "missed opportunity" to keep the public informed about the ferry's status. He said there should have been an earlier announcement from Mersey Travel to explain the situation, adding that the team at Mersey Travel and the Combined Authority are "working tirelessly behind the scenes now" to get the ferry back in operation.
Mersey Ferries announced the cancellation of the commuter ferry service on October 13, with a bus replacement service put in place between Hamilton Square and Seacombe. Tickets for the Liverpool Sightseeing River Cruise were also cancelled. Over two weeks later, the ferries remain suspended.
New Royal Daffodil ferry status
Cllr Morgan also provided an update on the New Royal Daffodil, the first new Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years. The £26m vessel had its maiden sailing in September and is set to operate as a weekday commuter service and river cruise ship.
He said there is still more work to be done on the new ferry, but expressed hope that "sooner rather than later" it will be in operation. The Daffodil is expected to become part of the fleet from November this year.
Cllr Morgan added that after his radio appearance, he would ensure Mersey Travel sends a clear message to the public about the up-to-date situation, stressing the importance of people knowing where they stand.
