Displaying items by tag: Strangford ferry strike

20th April 2023

Schoolchildren face Disruption Due to Strangford Lough Ferry Strike

Schoolchildren in their hundreds are facing disruption as the Strangford Lough ferry in Co. Down is to be affected over the next seven days due to strike action by ferry workers.

The passenger car-ferry service that links the villages of Strangford and Portaferry will not be operational for a week.

This means that commuters also will have to find an alternative method of transport as the service which has two car-ferries, Strangford II and Portaferry II (as above) are out of service.

According to BBC News a school principal said that four of his pupils will be left without any way of getting to school.

Members of the union, Unite, have voted to take strike-action after rejecting a pay offer of £552 extra per year for workers.

Commenting on the strike, Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said the offer was a "slap in the face" for those responsible for the maintenance of vital public services and infrastructure.

It was on Thursday, at 00:01 (BST) that the strike had begun and is to continue into next week up until 23.59 on 26 April, Wednesday. For updated information visit the TravelWatchNI website here.

More here on the strike at the Strangford Lough Ferry Service which Afloat adds is operated by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI)'s Roads Division South, a Northern Ireland Government Department.

The road distance between Strangford and Portaferry is 46 miles and takes on average 30 minutes to drive. Whereas the ferry route of less than 1 nautical mile takes around 8 minutes to complete.

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.