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28/09/2009
Foyle Ferry Fails?
The Foyle Ferry service is going to halt sailings at the end of the week.
The cross-border car ferry is sinking fast, despite a subsidy of £100,000 from Limavady Borough Council, as this money will not be available until next April.
Some weeks ago, Councillor Paddy Butcher (Sinn Féin) presented a motion of support to save the ferry, which plys between Magilligan in Co Londonderry and Greencastle in Co Donegal.
Limavady Borough Council responded with the fresh funding, regardless of what its counterpart in Donegal offered.
In addition, both councils have already made a joint application under the Rural Development Measure of the European Interreg IVA programme to fund the service.
However, a decision about it is not expected until next year.
The fresh subsidy from Limavady has also been criticised in Co Donegal as a local politician thinks it will weaken the European fund application.
Donegal Fine Gael Councillor Bernard McGuiness, said that while any 'match-funding' would have to be agreed to "in the context of the 2010 budget," he said that he considered Limavady's decision "unhelpful".
The company's contract officially ended on June this year, but it won an extension to operate until 30th September.
Recently, SDLP local councillors in Limavady started a campaign collecting hundreds of signatures of support to 'throw a lifeline' to the ferry.
Other politicians have also continued working on this issue during these weeks. But it seems that these actions has not been enough.
The cross-border service has been operating for eight years, carrying around two million passengers and also vehicles between counties Donegal and Londonderry.
Now, the 10-minute crossing that connected the two communities from both sides is going to disappear, and without immediate funds, the service will cease on 1st October because the operators cannot afford to keep the ferry afloat.
See: Fresh Bid To Rescue Sinking Border Ferry
(CL/BMcC)
The cross-border car ferry is sinking fast, despite a subsidy of £100,000 from Limavady Borough Council, as this money will not be available until next April.
Some weeks ago, Councillor Paddy Butcher (Sinn Féin) presented a motion of support to save the ferry, which plys between Magilligan in Co Londonderry and Greencastle in Co Donegal.
Limavady Borough Council responded with the fresh funding, regardless of what its counterpart in Donegal offered.
In addition, both councils have already made a joint application under the Rural Development Measure of the European Interreg IVA programme to fund the service.
However, a decision about it is not expected until next year.
The fresh subsidy from Limavady has also been criticised in Co Donegal as a local politician thinks it will weaken the European fund application.
Donegal Fine Gael Councillor Bernard McGuiness, said that while any 'match-funding' would have to be agreed to "in the context of the 2010 budget," he said that he considered Limavady's decision "unhelpful".
The company's contract officially ended on June this year, but it won an extension to operate until 30th September.
Recently, SDLP local councillors in Limavady started a campaign collecting hundreds of signatures of support to 'throw a lifeline' to the ferry.
Other politicians have also continued working on this issue during these weeks. But it seems that these actions has not been enough.
The cross-border service has been operating for eight years, carrying around two million passengers and also vehicles between counties Donegal and Londonderry.
Now, the 10-minute crossing that connected the two communities from both sides is going to disappear, and without immediate funds, the service will cease on 1st October because the operators cannot afford to keep the ferry afloat.
See: Fresh Bid To Rescue Sinking Border Ferry
(CL/BMcC)
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24 April 2009
SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
01 October 2009
Foyle Ferry Refloated
A lifeline has been thrown to a fast-sinking cross-border car ferry service. The crisis-hit Lough Foyle Ferry - which was due to cease services this week for good - is to continue until at least Christmas, on the understanding that new funding is found.
Foyle Ferry Refloated
A lifeline has been thrown to a fast-sinking cross-border car ferry service. The crisis-hit Lough Foyle Ferry - which was due to cease services this week for good - is to continue until at least Christmas, on the understanding that new funding is found.
30 March 2006
Rathlin Ferry to begin early tourist season sailings
Visitors to Rathlin will be welcomed early this year as the new summer timetable for the island's ferry service will commence a month earlier than usual.
Rathlin Ferry to begin early tourist season sailings
Visitors to Rathlin will be welcomed early this year as the new summer timetable for the island's ferry service will commence a month earlier than usual.
24 September 2009
Fresh Bid To Rescue Sinking Border Ferry
A struggling cross-border ferry service is this week the focus of a new rescue attempt. As financial problems threaten to swamp the Foyle Ferry, local councillors - all members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) - are attempting to throw a lifeline to the ailing cross-border ferry.
Fresh Bid To Rescue Sinking Border Ferry
A struggling cross-border ferry service is this week the focus of a new rescue attempt. As financial problems threaten to swamp the Foyle Ferry, local councillors - all members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) - are attempting to throw a lifeline to the ailing cross-border ferry.
18 February 2009
Donegal Ferry Funding Plan 'Sunk'
The North West may be about to lose an important cross-border car ferry link with news today that no Stormont money will be made available to keep the service afloat.
Donegal Ferry Funding Plan 'Sunk'
The North West may be about to lose an important cross-border car ferry link with news today that no Stormont money will be made available to keep the service afloat.
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