Senior Thurrock Labour politicians have today written to Transport Secretary, Mark Harper asking the Government to intervene to secure the immediate future of the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry.

Kent County Council has announced the withdrawal of all funding from this vital transport link.  The cash strapped County Council had been covering Thurrock’s ferry subsidy after Conservative-run Thurrock Council went bust with £1.5Billion of debts.

The Tory-run County Council has now announced the withdrawal of all the Ferry’s funding from March 2024, putting its future in immediate jeopardy.

Councillor John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Labour Group and Jen Craft, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Thurrock have written to the Secretary of State for Transport. They have asked Government Ministers to intervene to secure the immediate future of the historic crossing until a long-term solution can be found for the thousands of local people who rely on the ferry every day to get to work or school,

Cllr John Kent said:
“This is clearly a direct consequence of the Conservative chronic mismanagement of Thurrock’s finances, but we’ve asked the Minister to intervene to keep this ferry running.

“We will work with all interested parties and local groups to find a way to secure the long-term future of this historic ferry.

Jen Craft added:
“I have fond memories of using the ferry with my parents and cousins growing up – it is such an important part of Thurrock history and cultural heritage.

I hope the Minister appreciates the urgency and intervenes to ensure this is not one more way local people are made to suffer because of the Tory Council’s reckless financial decisions.”