South Wales Evening Post - 15 December 2008
Thousands of day trippers could be setting sail for Swansea by 2010 pumping million of pounds into the local economy.
Chris Marrow, of Mariners Marine Consultants, — the man behind ambitious plans to set up a ferry link between the city and North Devon — said an announcement on the £7 million project would be made early in the new year .
He confirmed that the 40-metre long fast-cat vessels carrying 350 passengers from Ilfracombe were likely to dock at the SA1 development.
It will see the usual five-hour journey time between Swansea and the North Devon coast reduced to just 50 minutes.
At first, the ferries will be passenger-only and test voyages could be charting course for Welsh waters as early as next year.
The two fast-cat ferries which are hoped to be used on the route are currently in service between Portsmouth on the English south coast and Ryde, on the Isle of Wight.
"The project is still on track and moving ahead very well," said Mr Marrow.
"We are expecting to make an announcement in the new year."
The project also involves setting up links between Minehead and Penarth and Burnham on Sea and Barry creating up to 500 jobs.
Last week, Mr Marrow met with representatives of the seven local authorities involved to update them on progress and pin point what was needed to finally deliver the service.
"The process is a constant one of evolution," said Mr Marrow.
"One of the big problems we have to overcome is lack of infrastructure. It's a bit like a haulage company being told to go away and build their own roads.
"Swansea's got a big development through SA1 and it's most likely that the ferry could come into SA1. Swansea has a lot to offer.
"One million tourists visit Devon every year. Where can you go for shopping in North Devon?
"The answer is Swansea. It is by far the best option and feasible especially if we bring it within touching distance and just a 50-minute trip away."
Mr Marrow remained enthusiastic about the venture despite the current economic climate. I think people are a bit fed up of the doom and gloom," he said.
"This is a long-term infrastructure project. People are looking to these kind of projects as a way of investing towards the future — to get us out of the current downturn.
"Hopefully, by the time we get up and running we will be out of the current financial climate.
"If people are choosing to spend holidays in the UK rather than abroad it will also help."
