ANGER is mounting over the state of the Torpoint Ferry service after disruption left the crossing operating with just one vessel on Thursday, prompting fresh questions over maintenance, reliability and the management of the vital link between Cornwall and Devon.

Rob Parsonage, Cornwall councillor for Torpoint, has branded the increasing frequency of single-ferry operations “unacceptable” and warned cost-cutting measures could be contributing to a decline in reliability.

The service is currently operating below its normal three-ferry provision, with two vessels in operation to allow upgrades and maintenance work. However, technical problems have also forced the service to drop to a single ferry on occasions, leaving motorists facing longer queues and uncertainty over their journeys.

Cllr Parsonage, a member of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, said the reduced service was having a real impact on people's lives.

“We are seeing an increasing frequency of single-ferry operation. That means people suddenly miss their buses and connections. I’ve had complaints from people who have missed hospital appointments as a consequence,” he said.

“We have been given an explanation as to why the service has had to drop to two ferries to allow for upgrades and maintenance of the vessels, and we have been told it will return to a three-ferry operation at the end of October.

“The big question is the number of times we are dropping down to one ferry. It is a challenge, and it is unacceptable.”

The latest disruption has sparked angry reactions from residents, with some questioning whether enough is being done to address the problems affecting the crossing.

Mark Sibley said: “This is totally unacceptable. Does anyone know what external agencies are available to take action over this shambles?”

Steve Richards added: “No one in authority seems to care. Torpoint is dying and no one is sorting the reason why.”

Cllr Parsonage said he would raise the growing problems at the Joint Committee’s finance meeting later this month, calling for an examination of why vessels were becoming unavailable so frequently.

He questioned whether challenges to maintenance regimes, introduced as part of efforts to reduce costs, could have contributed to the increase in breakdowns and technical issues.

“My question will be whether it is because we have challenged the maintenance regimes as part of the cost savings, which have then resulted in increased failures or other issues,” he said. “I do not know the answer to that, but it is one of the things we need to examine.”

He warned attempts to save money could ultimately prove counterproductive if they left the service struggling to operate reliably.

“When you go down the route of cutting back to make savings, you reach a tipping point where you eventually have to put money in to keep things running properly and recover the situation,” he said.

“We found that in Devonport when I joined the organisation, and I am wondering whether we have reached that point here with the ferries.”

Cllr Parsonage said he had already raised concerns about the frequency of reduced operations and insisted the situation could not continue.

In response, a spokesperson for Tamar Crossings said: “Yesterday (Thursday) one of the operating ferries was temporarily unavailable due to an issue with the prow, which resulted in the service operating with a single ferry between approximately 3pm and 5:30pm. The vessel has since returned to service and the ferry is currently operating with two ferries.

“We recognise the disruption this caused, particularly during the afternoon peak period, and understand the frustration experienced by customers affected by the delays.

“As outlined in our recent Torpoint Ferry Service Update, the Torpoint Ferry is currently operating with two ferries while planned maintenance and improvement works take place throughout September and October. The update includes details of the planned works, timings and what customers can expect over the coming weeks.

“At this stage there is no change to the timeline previously communicated, and the current expectation remains a return to three ferry operating arrangements following completion of the planned works at the end of October.”