Momentum grows behind plans for ferry link between North Devon and South Wales

Plans to establish a new ferry service across the Bristol Channel linking South Wales with North Devon are gathering momentum as the project moves into its next phase.

More than 98 per cent of the 4,000 people who responded to a public consultation backed the proposal for a new route connecting the North Devon coast with Swansea.

Technical and commercial concept assessments have now been completed, and further feasibility work will begin in the coming months to examine how the service could operate in practice.

If developed, the ferry would provide a new cross-channel transport link between South West England and South Wales, potentially boosting tourism, business travel and freight connections.

Talks have already taken place with North Devon Council, Somerset Council and Torridge District Council as discussions continue over possible port locations and the infrastructure required to support a ferry service.

Supporters say most consultation respondents favoured a car-carrying ferry, rather than a passenger-only service, which could strengthen tourism and commercial links between the regions.

The ambition is for a service that would operate year-round rather than only during the summer season, helping support economic growth on both sides of the Bristol Channel.

Advocates also argue the route could offer a quicker and potentially more environmentally friendly alternative to long road journeys via the M4 motorway and M5 motorway, while attracting investment into ports and harbours.

The consultation was commissioned by Swansea Council, which paid £24,995 for the work.

Although the findings have not yet been formally published, the maritime consultancy Ocean Prime has progressed work on an interim business case for the project.

A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: “Detailed technical and commercial concept assessments have identified some strong opportunities. The feasibility of these opportunities will be undertaken in the coming months to understand how they might be included.

“This is why Swansea Council has very recently drafted a memorandum of understanding to enable this work to develop further.”

The spokesperson said the memorandum formalised collaboration between the council and Ocean Prime and added: “Ocean Prime has met several other regional council experts, including harbour masters, since they first became aware of the project in 2023.

“This has included exploratory talks about various aspects of a ferry concept with North Devon Council, Somerset Council, and Torridge District Council.

“Now that market testing has been carried out in the Swansea area, meetings will be arranged between Swansea Council, Ocean Prime, and councils in south west England to further explore feasibility.”

Speaking previously to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Dave Sampson said the proposal was still in its early stages and that understanding demand would be crucial.

He said a potential vessel could be around 55 metres long, capable of carrying passengers, cars and some cargo at speeds of up to 40 knots.

Mr Sampson said Swansea was the only confirmed location if the project progressed further. Possible ports on the English side of the Bristol Channel have not yet been confirmed.

“We are not ruling anything in or out,” he said, adding that the intention would be for a ferry service to operate for as much of the year as possible rather than just during the summer months.

The idea of restoring a ferry route between South Wales and North Devon has been discussed for many years.

In 2010 a proposed fast ferry service between Swansea and Ilfracombe, known as Severnlink ferry project, came close to launching but ultimately collapsed due to funding difficulties.

Supporters of the latest proposal say the new feasibility studies will determine whether the long-discussed cross-channel ferry link could finally become a reality.

The full consultation report produced by Ocean Prime is expected to be published, although no release date has yet been confirmed.