Ferry service between Plymouth and Saltash begins

A new ferry service between Plymouth and Saltash has started.

Plymouth Boat Trips' foot ferry can hold up to 70 passengers and runs between the Royal William Yard and Jubilee Pontoon.

Plans are being developed to put a connecting bus service in place to transport passengers to Saltash town centre.

The ferry service, run in partnership with Saltash Town Council, was implemented following a successful trial on 30 March, the operator said.

Ben Squire, owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, said he was thrilled to deliver the service.

"It has long been our aim to grow our network of ferry routes across Plymouth and Cornwall and this is another very positive step on that journey," he added.

Margaret Huzzey, 85, has been living in the area since 1960.

She said it was "brilliant" to be on the first ferry crossing .

"It's wonderful," she said, "All this, and not too many people."

Her friend, Mags Bell, 79, said: "This will be one of our Friday morning trips.

"Now we can use the Saltash ferry to go and walk around Saltash, so it's going to be exciting."

Like 'holiday mode'

Steve Page, 44, who runs a restaurant in the Royal William Yard, is hoping the ferry will bring in a "new demographic of people who can visit".

He said: "The people who may be put off with coming over the bridge and parking. I think this is just a new way of getting into the yard and I think it's brilliant."

Mike Flynn, 59, from Plymouth, said it was "another opportunity to get on the water".

He said: "It's another brilliant alternative to driving over there, it's so much nicer.

"You're already kind of in holiday mode, you're chilled travelling over."