AN ISLE of Wight travel group is calling on Wightlink to resume its catamaran service.

The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group (IWBRUG) has called for the Ryde to Portsmouth FastCat service to be restored immediately, and for there to be a minimum service level requirement in the future.

Last week, Cllr Wayne Whittle shared his frustrations about the lack of a passenger service to and from the Isle of Wight.

Read more here.

Stuart George, chairman of IWBRUG said: "During lockdown, we accepted ferry operators working together in the best interests of Islanders.

"But now, with the restrictions being relaxed, it is no longer acceptable for the catamaran service to be suspended indefinitely.

"The hovercraft is not an acceptable alternative."

The group says Wightlink has announced an increase to its car ferry service on the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route, and Hovertravel is now running an increased service, but no date has been given for the resumption of the Ryde to Portsmouth catamaran.

It says Wightlink's catamaran service is an important link for foot passengers and by far the most convenient, while also operating in most weather conditions including high winds.

"This link has been missing for three months now and needs to be restored immediately," said Mr George.

"There are full train services on both sides of the Solent and to still have this gap is a nonsense.

"We also believe that, in the longer term, there should be guaranteed connections with rail services at both ends, and that this could best be achieved by the government or another regulator specifying a minimum service level for the catamaran, similar to the franchise requirement for rail services."

To learn more about IWBRUG, go to www.iwbususers.btck.co.uk