Ilfracombe to Wales and Ireland

North Devon needs the economic development, the tourism benefit and the prestige of a ferry service between Ilfracombe and Wales and Ireland.

Rather than slog around the Severn estuary to get to Wales and then to Ireland it could take just an hour or so to get to Swansea. Then to be able to hop on a ferry at Ilfracombe to get across to Rosslare or Youghal would save hours on what would undoubtedly be a very popular route for anyone based in Somerset, Devon or Cornwall to get to Ireland.

We’re not talking about a massive truck carrying ship but rather a medium-sized ferry for foot-passengers and light vehicles (cars, vans, motorbikes etc).

This is not a new idea. There is first of all a long history of shipping between the three countries from this part of the world.

But most importantly, the recently completed refurbishment of Ilfracombe harbour has always been seen as the start of a much larger development which would decent-sized ferries operating from Ilfracombe to Wales and Ireland for holiday and light commercial traffic.

It would stimulate economic growth enormously for the whole of North Devon.

You can see from ‘The story so far’ page that this is a serious and viable development.

I want to see it happen and have set this website up to encourage more talk about it and to try to accelerate the move towards a development that would see this area's prosperity grow even further over the years to come.

Devon complains frequently about being ignored by central government. Well North Devon I feel gets treated in the same way by Devon County Council sometimes. This is an opportunity to do something that will benefit the whole of Devon as well as giving this northern quarter the boost it really deserves.

Have a look around and please have your say on this page.

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