Andrew Turner the Island’s MP has spoken of the support expressed so far for his campaign calling for an investigation into ferry services by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The campaign was launched on Friday of last week (21st September) and to date has attracted around 350 supporters on the website, all who agree with Mr Turner that there needs to be a proper investigation into whether cross-Solent travellers are being well served by the existing services. A number of people have also written into his office agreeing with his call.

Some of those who have shown an interest in the campaign hail from surprisingly from far-flung destinations. There is support registered from Tasmania, Malaysia and Seattle, and around 20% of the signatories give mainland addresses.

Mr Turner said
“One of the many hurdles we will have to clear to win an investigation is to give evidence that many people are affected by this issue. Support from overseas and the mainland is useful in providing an indication of that.

We have also already attracted cross-party support from four mainland MPs and I am particularly pleased that Island Labour as well as the IW Conservative Association are publicly supporting the campaign. I have written today to other political parties on the Island seeking their support.

We are at the very start of this campaign and I hope that over the next few weeks many more Islanders will either visit my website or write into my office to support my request for an investigation so that when we send all the paperwork off to the OFT we will be able to demonstrate properly how much this affects all of us who live and work on the Island.

We already have a great deal of evidence on levels of ferry fares in previous years but the more information we are able to pull together the stronger the case will be, so I would particularly welcome copies of old price lists, tickets or receipts for travel.”

The website address which gives details of the campaign and where you can register your support is www.islandmp.org and Mr Turner’s office is located at 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, PO30 5BW.

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