Severn Link facts for kids
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Fast ferry Rapparee at Marchwood.
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| Locale | Devon and Wales |
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| Waterway | Bristol Channel |
| Transit type | Passenger ferry |
| No. of lines | 1 (proposed) |
| No. of vessels | 2 |
| No. of terminals | 2 |
Severn Link was a company that wanted to run ferry services. It was started in 2010. The company planned to connect places across the Bristol Channel in England and Wales.
Contents
What Was Severn Link?
Severn Link aimed to offer a fast way to travel between Devon and Wales. They planned to use two special passenger ferries. These ferries were called "Fastcats" and were 40 metres long.
The Fastcat Ferries
The ferries could travel very quickly, up to 34 knots (about 39 miles per hour). Each ferry could carry up to 360 passengers. A trip by ferry was expected to take only about 50 minutes. This was much faster than driving, which could take around 3.5 hours.
Early Plans and Challenges
The first ferry route was planned to go between Ilfracombe in England and Swansea in Wales. This service was supposed to begin in the spring of 2010.
Why the Delays Happened
However, a big problem came up. A main investor, who had helped pay for the two ferries, decided to stop supporting the project. This meant the company needed to find new money. Because of this, the launch of the ferry service was delayed. By autumn 2010, the company was still looking for new investors. The start date was then pushed back to 2011.
Changing Routes
Later, Severn Link thought about different routes. They planned a ferry service connecting Ilfracombe with Cardiff. The ferry would dock at Penarth, which is near Cardiff.
Other Possible Routes
The company also considered other ferry services. These included routes between Penarth and Minehead. Another idea was a route between Porthcawl and Ilfracombe.
Why the Service Never Started
In 2012, Severn Link confirmed that the service had not started. The main reasons were the investor pulling out and issues with finding suitable places for the ferries to dock. The two catamarans that were meant to be used were sold.
Hopes for the Future
Even after these problems, there were still hopes for a ferry service. In 2018, it was said that plans for a ferry were "still very much on the cards." In 2021, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Devon asked for the ferry idea to go ahead. However, as of 2025, the Severn Link ferry service has not begun.
