Council chief 'disappointed' by axing of ferry

Scilly Ferries had delayed the start of the ferry service until 20 August prior to announcing its cancellation

A council boss says he is "hugely disappointed" a ferry service between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly has been scrapped before it made a single journey.

On Thursday, Harland and Wolff, owners of Scilly Ferries, announced it had pulled the service that was due to start between Penzance and St Mary's on 20 August.

The chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, councillor Robert Francis, thanked the parties that had worked on the proposed service.

He said the work had created "standards of service" for any company that operated a similar model in the future.

On Thursday, Harland and Wolff said that following an assessment of its operations, the service was identified as being "overly ambitious given current circumstances".

Mr Francis said: "I am hugely disappointed that Harland and Wolff has been unable to bring its new fast passenger ferry service into operation.

"The company has worked over a number of years, initially with the current operator and more recently with the community and businesses on the islands, to gain a good understanding of the operational challenges of the route and how people would like to see the service improved."

He said: "As a council we are continuing to work flat out and engage the new government in helping us secure affordable sea links both to the mainland and between the five islands in order that our community can have a sustainable future."