On Air Now Jack McHugh 3:00pm - 7:00pm Five - Keep On Movin Schedule

No Prams, Wheelchairs Or Mobility Scooters For Three Months On Wightlink FastCat As Upgrade Continues

No prams, wheelchairs or mobility scooters will be able to use Wightlink's FastCat service for three months, as its £1.5 million terminal upgrade enters its next stage.

The next stage of investment in the FastCat foot passenger route between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head starts on Wednesday, January 5.

The timetable will stay the same, but there will be changes to the way customers board the catamarans in Portsmouth for the next three months, because of major structural repairs and maintenance at the terminal.

Customers will be led by members of Wightlink staff through the gates near Platform 5 of Portsmouth Harbour railway station to reach the berth by an alternative outdoor route. The current boarding ramp will be closed.  

Because there are stairs on the alternative outdoor route, no prams, wheelchairs or mobility scooters etc will be able to use the FastCats during this phase of the works. As a result, Wightlink said that those customers are advised to travel by car ferry from Gunwharf Road instead.

After this phase of the work, terminal access will return to normal for everyone in early spring. 

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:

“This £1.5million investment in the Portsmouth Harbour terminal demonstrates Wightlink’s commitment to our FastCat foot passenger service.  

“We are doing our best to minimise inconvenience to our customers and apologise in advance to passengers affected by the changes in our boarding arrangements.” 

Although Wightlink's Costa Coffee café at Portsmouth remains closed during the works, refreshments are available at the Wight Taste outlet on Ryde Pier. 

More from Isle of Wight News