At the moment, driving from Swansea to Ilfracombe takes around three hours. A train journey is even longer, with some links taking more than six arduous hours.
However, plans are now afoot to launch a Wales-Devon ferry service that could take just 50 minutes – a seventh of the time required to take those train routes.
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Swansea Council is in discussion with several councils on the other side of the Bristol Channel to explore the potential for an eco-friendly ferry taking passengers from Wales to England.
Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said that a working group has been established to look into clean energy propulsion systems for the proposed route. This would be to ensure that it contributes to the council’s pledge to be net zero by 2030.
This isn’t the first time the idea of a ferry has been raised. A catamaran with a capacity of 360 people was planned in 2008 but never materialised. It’s hoped that this time around a non-binding agreement will be arranged by the end of March.
Stewart said: ‘This would be a massive boost for tourism and business – to think you could cut your travel time to Devon and Cornwall by half, and of course it would have environmental benefits too: taking cars off the road and introducing green-powered ferries.’
The plans are still in their early phases but councillors are optimistic. A spokesperson for North Devon Council said: ‘North Devon Council is enthusiastic about a ferry service that would create a link to South Wales from Ilfracombe and we are exploring opportunities that could bring this to fruition.’
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