Announced today, King Harry Ferry will have to suspend crossings until further notice on April 13th, unless a funding package from the Department for Transport can be secured to keep the ferry operational during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Currently running 7 days a week providing a vital service to the Roseland community, in the region of 100 key workers and various blue-light emergency service vehicles, sailings will have to be suspended in a matter of days as it will be unable to continue to operate at a loss without extra financial support.

The King Harry Ferry is a chain ferry situated on the Fal River approximately halfway between Truro and Falmouth and connects to the Roseland Peninsula.

Managing Director Garrick Royle said:

"We have been trying to keep the ferry operational throughout this crisis to keep the Roseland community connected at our own cost and thanks to a small grant from Cornwall Council, to provide essential services for key workers and maintain the availability of the crossing for emergency service vehicles. We are carrying many hospitals and community care workers as well as local companies which are supplying the community with essential goods from food to fuel and essential services.

"Unfortunately, without additional financial support from the Department of Transport or Cornwall Council, we can't keep the ferry running past April 13th.

"Other transport providers, both public and private sector have had government funding packages put in place to keep their operations viable during the pandemic.

"Suspending operations is the absolute last resort, we really don't want to suspend crossings, but without support, we can't keep the ferry operational past April 13th."

The King Harry Ferry has put in place new measures to assist essential travellers with crossing safely during the pandemic, including contactless payments, Fal Mussel Card Local contactless payments and an online top up system.

The ferry crew are also spacing cars out on the deck as they are loaded and have a thorough on board cleaning routine.

New signage has been erected on the approaches to the ferry to ask travellers to pay by contactless through the glass on their windows and to stay in their vehicles for the duration of the crossing.

Sailings will continue on the winter timetable until April 13th.