River Thames ferry service faces final crossing

The ferry has been operating between Gravesend and Tilbury since 2017

A ferry service connecting Essex and Kent across the River Thames will end on Saturday.

Jetstream, which had operated the service since 2017, said in February that it could not continue operations after losing funding from Thurrock Council, in Essex.

The company said talks with Kent County Council failed to find a long term solution.

The last sailing will depart Tilbury, in Essex, for Gravesend, in Kent, at 19:10 GMT on 30 March.

Jetstream had been running 52 sailings a day, except on Sundays and bank holidays.

More than 100,000 passenger journeys are made every year on the ferry service.

Crossings take between five and 10 minutes, depending on river traffic.

The ferry operator said short-term renewals of the contract from Thurrock Council were "not tenable for business or staff".

Thurrock Council leader Andrew Jefferies has described the decision as "disappointing", but said he hoped an alternative provider could be found.

'Sustainable solution'

A Kent County Council spokesperson said: “It is disappointing that the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry has had to halt its service.

“We have worked hard to try to secure an extension to the contract while we find a long-term future for the crossing, but this has not been possible.

“Supported by the results of our recent public consultation, we will continue to work to secure a sustainable long-term solution for the ferry.”

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