Ferry company's U-turn after timetable concerns

Isle Of Sark Shipping has announced a U-turn on its winter timetable changes after concerns were expressed about the impact on islanders

A ferry company has revised its winter timetable after concerns were expressed about schoolchildren being unable to get home at weekends.

Sark Shipping's new timetable would have meant pupils could not return home to Sark at weekends after attending school in Guernsey all week.

The company was planning not to run a Sunday service from November to March, with the last boat to Sark leaving at 13:00 GMT on Fridays.

A spokesperson for the Isle of Sark Shipping Company said constructive feedback from across the community had "played a crucial role in helping us refine the timetable so that it works better for residents, visitors, and the island as a whole".

"Our aim remains to provide a reliable, sustainable service that continues to meet Sark's needs throughout the year," the spokesperson said.

The revised timetable aimed to provide a greater balance between the needs of the Sark community and the operational and maintenance requirements of the fleet, they added.

"The updated schedule reflects key points raised during consultation, including improved connectivity for school children, consideration of regular midweek appointments, and support for local business activity throughout the winter months," the company said.

Robin told BBC Radio Guernsey she would miss her home in Sark if she could not get there as regularly

Thirteen-year-old Robin had said the timetable change would affect 10 pupils, among other passengers.

Robin stays with her mother in Guernsey during term-time so she can attend school, leaving behind her father on his Sark farm, and returning there at weekends.

She said she was "really upset", adding that "it would be so hard to only be back in the holidays".

She said the changes might have also meant she would be unable to help out with lambing, the busiest time on the farm, adding that she thought her family would "really struggle".

New winter schedule times

The amended timetable now includes a 15:00 GMT sailing from Guernsey to Sark on a Friday and a Sark to Guernsey sailing at 16:00 on Friday from November through to 19 December.

This service then resumes on Friday 2 January.

There is also a 15:00 service from Guernsey to Sark on a Sunday, along with a 16:00 sailing from Sark to Guernsey.

These run until the end of March, with no sailings on Sunday 11 and 25 January, 8 February and 8 and 22 March.

A Sark Shipping spokesperson said the revised timetable had been approved by the Harbours, Shipping and Pilotage Committee, following consultation with other relevant committees.

They said the website and booking system was being updated, and the approved timetable would be published as soon as this process was completed.