Fleetwood to Knott End ferry shuts as some passengers flout coronavirus rules

The Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service has had to close until further notice, the operators have announced this morning.
Fleetwood to Knott End ferry skipper Tony Cowell said the decision to close the ferry service was a difficult one.Fleetwood to Knott End ferry skipper Tony Cowell said the decision to close the ferry service was a difficult one.
Fleetwood to Knott End ferry skipper Tony Cowell said the decision to close the ferry service was a difficult one.

And they say they have reluctantly taken that decision because some passengers have not been following social distancing guidelines in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

The service had been running six days a week from 7.45am until 5.45pm and has been a useful link for Over Wyre residents travelling to Fleetwood for shopping provisions and prescriptions.

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But Tony Cowell, skipper of ferry boat the Lancashire Rose, says it had become increasingly difficult to continue in recent days.

He said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is in the interest of our crew members and their families.

"In recent days we have seen a number of customers using the ferry to meet friends,hugging each other on our slipway, people not following the 2metre rule and also customers using the ferry with Covid-19 symptoms.

"The service is not always being used as a transport link for essential travel by our customers, unfortunately it is being used for the wrong reasons despite government advice.

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"This is putting our crew and their families at risk which is our main priority and we do not wish to facilitate the spreading of the virus."

He said the decision would be reevaluated in coming weeks as the situation progresses.

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