Funding agreement reached for Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry service

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 10:14

By Central Radio News

An agreement has been reached between Lancashire County Council, Wyre Council and the operator of the Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry service to provide additional funding.

The county council previously committed £57,110 a year towards the service and has already paid its contribution for 2026. It has now agreed to provide a further £62,000, on top of that existing commitment, to support the ferry during the current financial year.

Alongside the funding already committed for 2027/28, this is expected to provide sufficient funding to keep the service running until September 2027.

The agreement provides reassurance for passengers while longer-term discussions about the future of the service continue.

County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: "We recognise the importance of the Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry and previously committed £57,110 a year towards supporting the service. We have met that commitment and paid our contribution for 2026.

"We have carefully considered the request for additional funding and worked through the detail before reaching this decision.

"This additional funding of £62,000 was not budgeted for, and we have identified the money at short notice to protect a service we know is valued locally.

"This demonstrates our commitment to local public transport, but we also have a responsibility to ensure taxpayers' money is spent wisely and delivers value for money.

"Any longer-term funding arrangement will need robust commercial arrangements in place to ensure the service is both viable and affordable.

"We are prepared to support that process and help ensure any future arrangements are put in place in a legal and compliant way."