Concerns over rising cross-Solent travel costs have been raised with Government in a joint letter from Joe Robertson MP and Richard Quigley MP, calling for a rethink on applying the Emissions Trading Scheme levy to the Portsmouth–Fishbourne route.
The MPs warned that introducing the charge from 1st July could add up to £3.50 to a return car crossing, placing further pressure on already high ferry fares. The letter highlights the unique reliance on ferry travel and calls for a delay or reconsideration of the levy’s application to the route as ferry costs are already a significant burden for Islanders, and while operators must take responsibility for current prices, the Government should not be adding to that pressure.
Joe Robertson MP said, “I have signed a joint letter with Richard Quigley to Government urging them to rethink applying the Emissions Trading Scheme Levy to the Portsmouth - Fishbourne route on 1st July. It is not the Government’s fault that our ferry services are so expensive - the ferry companies are responsible - but the Government should be helping us reduce the cost of crossing the Solent not adding to it.
The full letter can be found below and on Mr Robertson's Facebook
