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NEARLY 700 years of proud history are set to continue after politicians agreed to buy a brand new Shields Ferry. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority approved the purchase of a replacement for The Shieldsman at a meeting this morning (THURS). The Shieldsman, 29 years old, is set to be replaced with a latest generation, enhanced passenger ferry. The ferry will be built in 2005/6 and in operation from 2007. A procurement process for a replacement vessel has resulted in a lowest option from VT Halmatic, Portchester Shipyard, Portsmouth for £1.817m. More than a year ago expressions of interest were invited from potential suppliers through the Official Journal of the European Union. Yards from the Tyne were aware of the invitation and one submitted a tender for the work. Councillor Tom Hanson, South Tyneside Councillor and PTA member, said: “The PTA is obviously disappointed that the Tyne yard was not successful but because Nexus is publicly funded by the council tax payers of Tyne and Wear we are obliged to evaluate tenders on the basis of Best Value, taking into account both aspects of cost and quality. “The lowest price tender was significantly lower than the other tenders received and represented in this case Best Value for the new ferry." The ferry will be funded by the PTA with potential support from the OneNorthEast funded Tyne and Wear Partnership. Councillor David Wood, Chair of the PTA, said: “Providing a Shields Ferry that enables people to access jobs, health services and education in North Tyneside and South Tyneside is an absolute must. There has been a long, proud history of cross Tyne Ferries dating back to 1377 and we are delighted that this heritage will continue.” Mike Parker, Director General of Nexus, said: “The priority, with growing congestion on both sides of the river, is to provide a viable alternative to the private car. It’s also essential to those people who do not own a car. The Shields Ferry is a vital part of Tyneside and provides an easy way for people to access the town centres of North and South Shields.” Civic leaders are also behind the plan. South Tyneside Council leader Councillor Paul Waggott said: "The purchase of the new ferry is fantastic news - South Tyneside people need access to work outside the Borough.
"The new service contributes greatly to the Council’s drive to increase the mobility of its workforce by improving public transport links and, coupled with the Route 19 project, meets our goal of achieving Social Inclusion." North Tyneside Council's Cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Ken Mewett said: "We're very pleased with this continued investment by Nexus. The Shields Ferry provides an important strategic link between North and South Tyneside, helping residents to access employment and leisure opportunities in both boroughs. It is also an integral part of the Stephenson Link access to jobs bus route which connects all the major business and retail parks in North Tyneside with the Metro and South Tyneside." There has been a working ferry on the Tyne since 1377. The Shields Ferry, which has 500,000 passenger journeys per year provides a vital link between North and South Shields and is highly valued by the local communities and the respective local authorities. It plays a key role in helping to regenerate the town centres through the trade it generates in the local shopping centres (in particular the South Shields market). It helps to tackle social exclusion and promote economic regeneration by providing a link from the deprived wards of South Tyneside to the major new employment areas in the A19 corridor in North Tyneside. In fact it is a key element of the Stephenson Link, which has been supported financially by North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council as well as by Nexus. Over the past few years, £3.2 million has been invested by Nexus in new ferry landings at North and South Shields. Two vessels operate the Shields Ferry, The Shieldsman and The Pride of the Tyne. The Shieldsman is now 29 years old and with spares proving difficult to obtain is proving to be unreliable.
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