Plymouth Boat Trips has announced that, following a successful trial ferry service and public survey run in partnership with Saltash Town Council on Saturday 30th March, a new daily water transport link between Plymouth’s Royal William Yard and Saltash will be introduced from Friday 24th May 2024. 

The initiative has been implemented as part of the Saltash Town Waterside and River Links Connectivity Project, funded by the UK Government’s Community Levelling Up Programme and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project aims to improve transport links, social mobility and ‘green’ excellence in tandem with wider regeneration plans for the town. 

In response to the project, Saltash Town Council engaged architects Studio HIVE for a detailed feasibility study of proposals to connect the town, waterside and surrounding area. Studio HIVE commissioned Beckett Rankine as part of a consortium to lead the sustainable marine transport proposal study. 

Key to the study was engaging with those most impacted by the future developments. 

We met with key stakeholders, including councillors and boat operators, to understand the history of water transport in the area, the operations currently in place, and to explore which ideas held the most potential for development. 

Once an outline proposal was devised, multiple public consultations took place to gather local feedback. This was followed by a public transport trial that tested potential land and water transport enhancements on Saturday 30 March 2024, with resounding success. 

The consortium’s final feasibility report was submitted in May 2024 with the implementation of the new ferry link announced just one week later. 

The water transport study also highlights the potential options for a fully accessible pontoon and service berth, as well as the possibility of integrating electric ferries and further routes in future.  

Director Tim Beckett said, “We welcome the new ferry service as a way to improve connectivity in the area with a sustainable option that can benefit all. It is a testament to the hard work of the Studio HIVE’s team and Saltash Town Council that it has been implemented so quickly after submitting the report.  

We particularly appreciate the local residents and visitors, whose voices in the public consultations were integral to informing our recommendations. It is a brilliant example of an initiative led by sustainability, collaboration, and community, and it is a fine example for other waterside regeneration projects across the UK.” 

For full details on the new Saltash – Royal William Yard ferry service, visit Plymouth Boat Trips