The wait for new Torpoint Ferries is set to continue for at least another four years.

Hopes had been raised that larger ferries which would help to reduce traffic queues on either side of the Tamar would be in operation by the year 2000.

Little over a year ago, the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee told ferry users in an official newsletter that it planned to replace the three chain ferries crossing the river between Torpoint and Devonport "by the year 2000 or very soon after".

And the committee, comprising members from Cornwall County Council and Plymouth City Council, had originally anticipated that the new larger ferries would be in place to carry traffic avoiding the Tamar Bridge strengthening scheme.

However, a provisional timetable made public this month shows that the first ferry is not due to be commissioned until December 2003.

Bridge and Ferry Manager David List said that the change of plan can be attributed to a number of factors.

He said that as the scale of the £31-million bridge project evolved it became clear there would be financial constraints on the proposal for new ferries.

This coupled with public concern about the size of the ferries and the environmental impact of more traffic travelling through Torpoint has led to the new timetable.

"After the initial replacement ferry design was done and the initial public consultation last year, the committee reviewed the position and has developed a three-pronged approach covering environmental concerns, public consultation and technical issues," said Mr List.

"An environmental impact assessment will take place in early 2000 with more public consultation in the latter part of the year. The committee is very aware of the public concern in Torpoint over any increased traffic use of the ferries and the fact that the ferries will be designed to take 40-tonne lorries.

"In late 2000 more details about the possible sizes of ferries should be available. We are looking at three sizes of ferry from 60-car to 85-car as we make our assessments. The present capacity is 50 cars.

"It is planned that the committee will make a decision on ferry size in May 2001 with detailed design work following after that."

All three new ferries would be in operation by the spring of 2004. Each will have an expected lifespan of 25 years.