Petition calls for better inter-island connectivity

From April the islands have just have one Wednesday sailing from Condor between them, with DFDS yet to announce any details on their inter-island sailings.

Derryn De Carteret, who regularly attends dog shows in Jersey, launched the petition on Friday as she believes a once-a-week service is not fit for purpose.

And by 4pm, almost 250 islanders had signed on to say they agreed with her.

‘An inter-island car ferry is not just important to me but to many islanders who travel between the island for competitions,’ she said.

‘This may be dog shows, equestrian events, agility competitions or motor sports. There are also lots of islanders that need to travel inter-island to visit family.’

Miss De Carteret was in Jersey recently for the Channel Islands Dog of the Year show.

‘We had three different sailings on the Friday to Jersey and could come back Saturday evening or Sunday,’ she said. ‘If the inter-island weekend link is lost this inter-island competition will be lost.’

She said that while other operators, such as Islands Unlimited, Manche-Iles and Iris Freight were stepping up they could not take any vehicles.

‘They are providing a foot passenger-only service. This is not acceptable and an inter-island ferry service, which will enable passengers to travel in vehicles, is urgently needed.’

And Miss De Carteret said she felt the responsibility for the current situation lay at the feet of both the islands’ governments.

‘The two ferry companies and the Guernsey and Jersey governments and States members need to work together and resolve this,’ she said. ‘At the very least Jersey and Guernsey need a weekend service which would allow islanders to visit family and friends and attend inter island competitions and sports.’

• To sign the petition visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/inter-island-ferry-service-with-vehicles