NEWLY-elected Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson has put pen to paper urging the government to address the "considerable problems" with cross-Solent ferry services.

The MP has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, raised the issue in his first television appearance on Politics South, three days after he was elected, on July 4.

Mr Robertson was elected to Parliament pledging to deal with the much-criticised services provided by Red Funnel and Wightlink, by seeking government intervention.

He is now engaging directly with the government by seeking action from Secretary of State, Louise Haigh.

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In his letter to the Transport Secretary, the Island MP said: “Ticket prices are expensive — at times extortionate — and the services are increasingly unreliable.

"The timetables have been thinned down over the years, so that crossings are less regular."

Mr Robertson has requested a meeting with the minister, together with Richard Quigley, the Island's Labour MP for Isle of Wight West, to discuss how the issues he has raised can be solved.

"Having grown up on the Island, I have seen for myself how the services have got worse over the last 30 years, while the various corporate owners of the ferry companies have loaded them with debt," continued Mr Robertson. 

“It is now obvious, the only way of addressing the very considerable problems we face is through government intervention.

"The companies have a primary obligation to maximise profit for their shareholders and, will not bring about the change we need, by themselves.

"In any case, it should be obvious a lifeline service connecting an island population of more than 140,000 cannot be left to an unchecked, unregulated free market.

"We have more than three decades of evidence it is unfair and does not work.”

Also in his letter, Mr Robertson made reference to the government’s intention to nationalise the train network, as set out in the King’s Speech on Wednesday last week (July 17).

He said the intended legislation also “presents a perfect opportunity to introduce a formal role for government, in the way our ferries are operated.”