THERE has been a ‘small’ increase in the number of people travelling across the Solent, according to Isle of Wight ferry firms Red Funnel and Wightlink.

However, both the operators have told the Isle of Wight County Press that passenger numbers are only a fraction of what would normally be expected at this time of year.

Since March, when passenger numbers collapsed, the two companies, along with Hovertravel, have been allowed to work more closely as a result of coronavirus.

Read more: Government: Isle of Wight ferries can work together to maintain essential links

Updated government guidance says we can now drive distances for unlimited exercise, but we should only use public transport if there is no alternative.

We are also told not to travel somewhere if we intend to stay overnight, including travel to second homes.

Read more: New lockdown rules announced - what you can and can't do from Monday

Lockdown is slowly being eased, however, with non-essential shops open from 15 June, as long as social distancing measures are in place.

Car showrooms, outdoor businesses and Southampton's IKEA opened yesterday (Monday).

Read more: Here's what happened when Ikea stores reopened this morning across the UK

Although passenger numbers are slightly up, and are expected to increase further, the ferry firms say most people travelling are still making 'essential' journeys.

Wightlink said, “We are currently operating one route between Fishbourne and Portsmouth, with a much-reduced number of sailings and overall capacity.

“The majority of our traffic is still related to freight transport and key workers. We are seeing a small increase in traffic, in line with the recent changes to Government advice on travel, but this increase is small and volumes are a fraction of what we would expect at this time of year.  This is also mostly confined to week-day traffic and to freight vehicles or cars. 

“We continue to work with IW Council and Visit Isle of Wight to discourage non-essential travel.”

"Numbers remain critically low"

- Red Funnel

Red Funnel said: “Red Funnel is continuing to operate a lifeline vehicle ferry service on a reduced schedule to a maximum of 28% of our normal capacity, and is supporting government guidelines by discouraging travel other than that required for essential reasons only.  

“As a result of lockdown measures being eased by the government, there were more passengers using our service this weekend relative to last weekend on routes both to and from the Island, but numbers remain critically low. Although the government advises people to minimise the use of public transport wherever possible, it is not illegal to travel and we expect to see gradual increases in the demand for on- and off-island travel in line with the government’s relaxation of restrictions. 

“As we have for many weeks now, we continue to discourage non-essential travel on our ferries in-line with current government guidelines. While we’re not in a position to challenge the reasons for our customers travelling, we hope that Islanders and the mainland public alike will continue to adhere to the official guidance to help protect our staff and wider communities. Our advice remains to stay safe, stay local – dream now, sail later.”