Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP has released an update on the campaign for the cross-Solent ferry market to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). To date 8,224 businesses and members of the public have supported the campaign either on line at www.IslandMP.com or by writing into Mr Turner’s office at 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport.

Mr Turner said;
“There has been a great deal of work going on behind the scenes over recent months. A large number of people have contributed useful information and evidence and I would particularly like to thank Connie Cowley and Pat Trevett who have voluntarily ploughed through many of the public responses and produced a very useful analysis for the OFT. I am also extremely grateful to the very able group of local businessmen who have been helping on a number of fronts.”

Mr Turner went on to say
“The submission now includes additional arguments and information on the latest round of price rises, fuel surcharges and service cuts. I am not able to make the additional documents public as many people have given information in confidence. I am currently seeking an appointment with the OFT in order to hand in our submission – and all the comments from members of the public will also be passed over to them in support of the submission. If anyone still wishes to support the campaign they may do so on-line at www.islandmp.com or by writing to me at 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport. This is a campaign which has attracted cross-party and strong public support and has even been noticed by the Prime Minister, so we must be in with a good chance of getting an investigation started.”

Peter Linacre, of Joe’s in Newport and Ryde, one of the businessmen who has been helping and advising Mr Turner said
“We have sought detailed, professional advice on a number of issues and that has made what was already a good case even stronger. We are all very hopeful that the OFT will start an investigation into these matters as the Island simply cannot support ever-increasing fares. As a businessman I fully understand that the investors in the ferry companies should make a fair profit – but the key word is ‘fair’. The OFT are best placed to determine whether the current levels of profit are fair and reasonable under the circumstances.”

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808