Assembly Member backs Cork Ferry campaign

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Jul 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, is urging South Wales residents to sign up to an e-petition backing to a campaign to reinstate the Swansea to Cork ferry service.

The service ceased in 2006 after the owners sold the ferry, which contributed heavily to tourism in both Wales and Ireland and carried 120,000 passengers a year. So far the e-petition has been signed by over 1,000 people after being set up by two Irish businessmen.

"While Swansea and South West Wales has been lucky not to have suffered the dip in tourism that Cork has, that is more to do with the success of Swansea Council in bringing new developments to Swansea, such as the revamped leisure centre." said Mr Black. "Tourism increased by 4% last year, however it is possible that this figure would have been higher had the ferry service still been running."

"South Wales has some wonderful tourist attractions, such as the beaches on Gower, Mumbles the Brecon Beacons and our fantastic food and beer. I would love to see as many tourists from all corners of the globe visit the area. It is vital that we maintain cultural and economic links with our Irish neighbours and the ferry was the ideal place to do that. I would urge all parties to work together to recreate this link as quickly as possible."

ENDS

Notes: The petition can be found at http://www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com/