Cycling UK Forum

Sustrans is now supporting this petition to protest about the £1 charge for cyclists using National Cycle Route 2 crossing Southampton Water to get to the New Forest.
Sign the petition now, see what it's all about:- http://bit.ly/hSCHLj
The council has cut cash for subsidised travel and the ferry company is trying to recoup the difference by putting a £1 charge on all cycles, adult or child. Regular users will get a bulk discount but day trippers to the New Forest or tourists on NCR 2 will pay the full whack. Hundreds of cycle commuters use this route, avoiding a seven mile detour crossing roads full of HGV dock traffic. There are only 3 cycle racks a the Hythe end of the route and in Southampton the racks are fully used by Isle of Wight commuters.

What can you buy for a £1 these days and if it saves you “a seven mile detour crossing roads full of HGV dock traffic” it's money well spent, and yes I do use the Hythe Ferry

A quid? Sounds like exceptional value for money to me. Personally, I'd keep quiet before they realise and put the price up

£1 for that as opposed to... what?

TwoPlusTen wrote:£1 for that as opposed to... what?

Several miles cycling in heavy traffic.

Bargain. Wish there had been a ferry for part of my commute.

You have to pay £6 for all those benefits does that make any difference?
Is that each way I wonder? So £12 for a return which is £60 per week for a commuter, still a bargain.
Of course they would have to pay £50 at the present rates.

Yes, I have used the Hythe Ferry with a bike, (train to Southampton and then on down south of Hythe), and £1 extra for the bike seems reasonable to me seeing the space it takes up on the ferry.

When I was a teenager the ferry fare was too much and I would cycle up and round the top to get into town though!

Seems reasonable to me and well worth it. It's not a big money making ferry company and I've always had good experiences using it. Last time I travelled at Easter (with a bike) they brought hot cross buns round for all the passengers. You won't get that on Wightlink or Red Funnel.

If it's a space thing then I presume they'll charge for suitcases etc as well.

Any cycle parking either side?