The chainlink ferry service which operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset is to be suspended for 15 days during November 2024.
The Sandbanks Ferry company announced that the Bramble Bush Bay ferry will undergo a refit from Tuesday 5th to Wednesday 20th November 2024.
Bus passengers, pedestrians and drivers will have to take an alternative route to get to Poole and Bournemouth while the ferry service is suspended
“Weather permitting”
During this time, there will be no ferry service from Studland and anyone wishing to get to Poole or Bournemouth will have to drive round via Corfe Castle and Wareham.
The number 50 Purbeck Breezer bus, which usually travels between Swanage and Bournemouth via the ferry, will also have to re-route via Corfe Castle and Wareham.
A short statement on the Sandbanks Ferry website said:
“The ferry will be undergoing a refit this November between 5th and 20th, weather permitting. There will be no ferry service during this period.”
This refit is a scheduled part of the ferry’s maintenance and the ferry is not expected to travel a long distance to a dry dock for the work to be completed. It’s believed the refit will take place locally.
The ferry in dry dock at Falmouth with a damaged prow in 2022
Refit mishap in 2022
In October 2022, the Sandbanks Ferry service was suspended for planned maintenance which was estimated to take about six weeks, however an incident meant it was out of action for 17 weeks.
First the ferry was delayed from being towed from Poole Harbour to Falmouth in Cornwall for the scheduled refit work to take place, due to bad weather.
Then on its way to Falmouth, the southern prow of the vessel was severely damaged, meaning weeks more of delays while new parts were ordered from Poland and refitted.
Eventually the ferry, the Bramble Bush Bay was towed back to Poole Harbour on Tuesday 7th February 2023 for the repair work to be completed.
Following testing and a final inspection it eventually resumed service on Monday 27th February 2023.
It’s hoped that as the ferry doesn’t have to travel to a dry dock this year, there will be less chance of any mishaps this time.
Hopefully the ferry won’t be out of action for 17 weeks this time!
Ferry toll increases proposed
Separately, the ferry company has applied to increase the tolls, reintroduce a road toll, and reduce the bulk buy ticket discount which most favours local residents.
The operation of the ferry is governed by a 1923 Act of Parliament and any changes to the tolls must be agreed by the UK Government’s secretary of state for transport.
In response to the application, there will be a three day public inquiry from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th December 2024 at Studland village hall, to decide the issue.
Dorset Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Swanage Town Council and all the surrounding parish councils are opposed to the proposal, along with many local residents.
The ferry company says it needs to raise the prices to meet its increased running costs.
Will the prices go up?
Further information
- More about Sandbanks Ferry
