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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Spring launch for new fast ferry | Spring launch for new fast ferry |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A ferry service connecting south Wales and Devon is set to launch at Easter. | A ferry service connecting south Wales and Devon is set to launch at Easter. |
| New operator Severn Link said it will run two catamarans between Swansea and Ilfracombe boosting the economies both sides of the Bristol Channel. | New operator Severn Link said it will run two catamarans between Swansea and Ilfracombe boosting the economies both sides of the Bristol Channel. |
| The passenger-only ferries will run all-year round taking around 50 minutes to complete the crossing. | The passenger-only ferries will run all-year round taking around 50 minutes to complete the crossing. |
| Company founder Chris Marrow said he was certain there would be enough demand with "considerable" spin-offs for both ports. | |
| "I have started ferry services in other parts of the world but I have always looked at the Bristol Channel and thought really there should be ferries there," he said. | "I have started ferry services in other parts of the world but I have always looked at the Bristol Channel and thought really there should be ferries there," he said. |
| "Every other long stretch of water in the world like that, that I'm aware of, does have active ferry services." | "Every other long stretch of water in the world like that, that I'm aware of, does have active ferry services." |
| He said he was certain it would prove popular with tourists on both sides of the channel. | He said he was certain it would prove popular with tourists on both sides of the channel. |
| "There is no question a lot of people are spending their holidays in the UK at the moment and in many ways I think it's the absolute ideal time to be starting," he added. | "There is no question a lot of people are spending their holidays in the UK at the moment and in many ways I think it's the absolute ideal time to be starting," he added. |
| Market research has shown that there is a huge demand for this ferry route Chris Marrow | |
| He said over £3m will be invested in the service with Severn Link directly employing around 40 staff. | He said over £3m will be invested in the service with Severn Link directly employing around 40 staff. |
| "In my experience it's going to create a lot of spin-offs, especially in tourism but other industries as well. | "In my experience it's going to create a lot of spin-offs, especially in tourism but other industries as well. |
| "There is very little doubt we will cause the creation of a considerable number of jobs over and above that." | "There is very little doubt we will cause the creation of a considerable number of jobs over and above that." |
| Severn Link said to travel from Swansea to north Devon by road typically took around three-and-a-half hours. | Severn Link said to travel from Swansea to north Devon by road typically took around three-and-a-half hours. |
| Mr Marrow added: "Market research has shown that there is a huge demand for this ferry route." | |
| The crossing, the first of several Severn Link plan to operate across the Bristol Channel, is designed to link up with the Swansea Cork Ferry which is due to re-launch in March. | The crossing, the first of several Severn Link plan to operate across the Bristol Channel, is designed to link up with the Swansea Cork Ferry which is due to re-launch in March. |
| Swansea council leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news that comes in the wake of the announcement that the Swansea to Cork ferry is being reinstated. | Swansea council leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news that comes in the wake of the announcement that the Swansea to Cork ferry is being reinstated. |
| "A fast-cat service from Swansea to Ilfracombe would be a boost for the city's tourism economy and would allow Swansea people easier access to Devon and the south west of England." | "A fast-cat service from Swansea to Ilfracombe would be a boost for the city's tourism economy and would allow Swansea people easier access to Devon and the south west of England." |
| Tim Jones, of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "We have calculated that this is likely in the first year to introduce around £20m of new business to Devon." | Tim Jones, of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: "We have calculated that this is likely in the first year to introduce around £20m of new business to Devon." |
| He said the benefits would extend well beyond the tourism sector. | He said the benefits would extend well beyond the tourism sector. |
| "It's a really big business opportunity and something we should really be celebrating," he added. | "It's a really big business opportunity and something we should really be celebrating," he added. |