Tunnels & Bridges

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TheBoatman

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Last week I had to travel between the mainland and I.O.W and I booked via the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Yarmouth ~ it cost me the better part of 115 squids return.

It got me thinking that we have so many bridges & tunnels crossing all kind of waterways ~ Dartford Crossing, Severn Bridge, Humber Bridge, Skye etc, etc. Even the channel tunnel!!! But none cost that much for such a short crossing?

So my question is why is there not a tunnel/bridge between UK mainland and the I.O.W???

Peter.
The Boatman.
 
TheBoatman said:
I booked via the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Yarmouth
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Not surprised it cost a lot to divert a ferry down the length of the Solent :D

Main reason there's no tunnel to the Isle of Wight is that there's no economic reason to; nothing of any great import goes on over there.

The Dartford Crossing connects up the M25, one of the busiest motorways. The Severn Bridge links up a vast swathe of Wales to England. The Humber Bridge I don't know personally, but I'm sure it's just as important. Isle of Wight? Who wants to go there? :p

Pete
 
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I guess you mean Lymington to Yarmouth?

Me and SWMBO live in the area the weather was not looking good for sailing and we where thinking of taking Caravan over, to see the bits you do not see by boat.

Including extra diesel & ferry costs it was cheaper to take the caravan to France...

Amazing the amount of people who do not go over cause its so expensive...
 
Apart from Dartford and a toll bridge or two upstream, crossing the Thames is free on Bridges, tunnels and even the Woolwich Ferry. Something I always ponder when paying my Mersey tunnel toll.
 
The bridge to Skye spoilt the island, in my opinion.

I love getting on a ferry to an island, but then again I love islands. Why not pay a few pounds to keep islands special and a ferry in business?
 
savageseadog said:
Apart from Dartford and a toll bridge or two upstream, crossing the Thames is free on Bridges, tunnels and even the Woolwich Ferry. Something I always ponder when paying my Mersey tunnel toll.
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Bit more cash floating around in London to pay for this kind of thing.

Pete
 
Iow bridge? Joined up thinking might add in Gosport from Portsmouth too ?
Perfect project to engage EU redevelopment funds. Deprived island minority, economically challenged, discriminated against by ferry cartel, highest ferry cost per sea mile in Europe . Why not write to your Euro MP whilst we are still 'in' it?
 
TheBoatman said:
Last week I had to travel between the mainland and I.O.W and I booked via the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Yarmouth ~ it cost me the better part of 115 squids return.

It got me thinking that we have so many bridges & tunnels crossing all kind of waterways ~ Dartford Crossing, Severn Bridge, Humber Bridge, Skye etc, etc. Even the channel tunnel!!! But none cost that much for such a short crossing?

So my question is why is there not a tunnel/bridge between UK mainland and the I.O.W???

Peter.
The Boatman.
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There are several reasons.

1. Loads of money and no one offering to pay for it.
2. The residents (and I have a house in Yarmouth) would vote enmasse against a bridge. It is often discussed at dinners and I am yet to meet anyone who wants one.
3. The obvious place for one would be to Cowes or Ryde and that would be a major issue for shipping.

We try to keep the ferry price high to ward off visitors. The west wight particularly is rural and peaceful. Last thing we want is a load of grockles on cheap days out. ;)

At least we get cheap ferry ticket. Day trips for us are about £40 when we visit the big island.
 
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Twister_Ken said:
Be cheaper to go as a foot passenger and get a taxi or rentacar at the other end. Or take your bike. When Indigo was being fettled in Yarmouth, I found the cheapest way across (on foot) was on Puffin Boat's (?) service from Lymington Quay.
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Puffins have given up the ferry operation. They got priced out by Wightlink.
 
It's not just a bridge though, is it? The real challenge is the time warp. By ferry you get half an hour to accustomise to the 1950s before you get there. With a bridge the almost immediate transition would probably rip your whole head off. :D
 
benjenbav said:
It's not just a bridge though, is it? The real challenge is the time warp. By ferry you get half an hour to accustomise to the 1950s before you get there. With a bridge the almost immediate transition would probably rip your whole head off. :D
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+1
 
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