IT seems, three is the magic number – with all three Torpoint Ferries back in action, ending weeks of reduced services and disruption on the vital Tamar crossing.

Tamar Crossings confirmed on Wednesday that Plym II has completed its maintenance programme and the technical issue affecting Tamar II’s chain has also been resolved, restoring the service to full three-ferry operation.

The news will come as a major boost for commuters, residents and businesses who have faced lengthy queues, delays and uncertainty over their journeys in recent weeks.

Tamar Crossings thanked customers for their patience while the maintenance work was carried out and technical problems were addressed.

The return to full operation will also be welcomed by Cornwall councillor for Torpoint, Rob Parsonage, who last month described the increasing frequency of single-ferry services as “unacceptable”.

The councillor, who sits on the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, had raised concerns about the impact of reduced services on people relying on the crossing to get to work, attend appointments and make onward travel connections.

He warned that passengers were being left facing unexpected delays, with some missing buses and hospital appointments when technical problems forced the service to operate with just one vessel.

At the time, two ferries were operating while upgrades and maintenance work were carried out. However, further technical difficulties meant the crossing continued to experience periods of disruption.

Cllr Parsonage said the frequency of single-ferry operations was a major concern and questioned whether enough was being done to protect the reliability of the service.

The restoration of all three vessels, however, marks an important step towards providing the dependable crossing that thousands of people rely on every day.

The Torpoint Ferry is a vital transport link between Cornwall and Devon, carrying commuters, residents and visitors across the Tamar throughout the year.