|  | The last ferry was deemed unsafe after more than 35 years of service and had suffered from a number of recent crises including a battering at the hands of flooding and a decline in tourism due to the 2001 foot and mouth crisis. Yet, if nothing else, this ferry service has stood the test of time.
The river crossing at Hampton Loade has been in use for around 400 years, and may even have provided a route across the Severn during Medieval times. The name 'Loade' is in fact an Old English word meaning ford or river crossing.
 | The crossing at Hampton Loade |
| | The popularity of local attractions, as well as local walks and activities makes this ferry a vital link. | | Darren Page, ferry operator |
The new ferry has been officially handed over to its current operator, Darren Page, who hopes that the service will combine with other local schemes to help attract tourists to the area.
The new craft is also something of a local success story - The ferry has been built from larch and oak, sourced by Border Hardwood of Wem and built by local craftsmen at Blists Hill Museum in Ironbridge, using both traditional and contemporary techniques. The new craft measures 20ft by 9ft, weighs a weighty 3-4 tonnes and will be able to carry up to 12 passengers.
This ferry is an almost identical design to the last one, which was built (in the words of Darren Page) "Like a battleship". That boat survived 38 years in the water, and Darren hopes that this one will prove as robust. The ferry will start work at the beginning of the Easter tourist season in March. Site engineer Peter Stoddart assured us that he was looking forward to cracking a bottle of Brown Ale across the hull to mark the launch!
However, despite the large investment in the new ferry, its future is far from guaranteed. The service will need continual support and fundraising to keep it afloat.
|
