rural transport
Fal River Links – a Cornish Ferry initiative
T
he Fal estuary is the world’s third largest natural harbour with sixty miles of navigable waterways between Falmouth and Truro. Falmouth with its many attractions and amenities serves many settlements around the estuary and its ferry services are very important to local residents and holidaymakers.
In the late 19th century passenger steamers, started by family alliances and partnerships who saw the opportunities presented by the river, opened up these waterways with services from Falmouth to St Mawes and Truro. In 1888 the King Harry Ferry opened a small steam-driven chain-ferry at King Harry Passage - named after the Lancastrian King Henry VI - on the ancient pilgrim route to St Michael’s Mount. The present chain-ferry built in 1976 is one of only five remaining in the UK.
The St Mawes Ferry Company operates from Prince of Wales Pier and Custom House Quay at Falmouth to the Town Quay at St Mawes using historic wooden ferries. It provides daily year round access to the town for residents of the Roseland Peninsular. The little Flushing Ferry operates from Prince of Wales Pier across the Penryn River to Flushing, saving a 10-mile detour via Penryn.
An initiative by the King Harry Steam Ferry Company, County and District Councils, the Countryside Agency and others, has brought thirteen ferry and cruise operators into a working partnership marketed as “Fal River Links – Independent Operators Working Together”. Attractive brochures give details of services, local attractions, bus and
rail links – very important in this busy holiday area. The partnership includes the ferries already mentioned plus the little St Mawes to Place ferry across the Percuil River and the Mylor Shuttle (both summer only). Falmouth also has a waterborne park and ride
service - “Park and Float” – operating from a park and ride car park for the National Maritime Museum. Another unusual initiative is the Ocean Aqua Cab, a water taxi service linking eleven quays between Falmouth and Trelissick.
From a disparate collection of operators Fal River Links has enabled the local ferry operators to co-ordinate services to their own benefit and that of locals and holidaymakers alike. In addition to the regular ferries the consortium provides a variety of boat trips designed for the holidaymaker, all helping to give the Fal estuary and its communities a comprehensive network of inter–town and village links. n
For more information contact: Cornwall Ferries Ltd: 01872 861 910
Accommodation and tourist information: 01872 863 132
www.falriverlinks.co.uk www.kingharry-info.co.uk www.stmawes-ferry.co.uk www.enterprise-boats.co.uk
Graham Wise
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk 5
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