Sandbanks Ferry to halt for seven weeks

The Sandbanks Ferry will stop running on Monday for a scheduled refit that is expected to last about seven weeks. The service connects Sandbanks and Studland across the entrance to Poole Harbour. The final crossing from Shell Bay departs at 23:10 GMT on Sunday.

Work on the chain ferry will take place at Poole Quay in Dorset and in Falmouth, Cornwall. The specific timetable depends on weather and sea conditions. This maintenance cycle follows a two-year alternating schedule between major and minor overhauls. The last major overhaul occurred in 2022.

Wayne Row, the general manager, stated that extensive planning preceded the project. Parts were ordered well in advance, and specific sections of the work were prepared before the ferry leaves the water. Row thanked passengers for their patience during the closure.

The ferry manager emphasized the importance of the service to the local transport network. "We appreciate the ferry is part of the critical transport network," Row said. He added, "We're doing everything we can to ensure works are both thorough and efficient, so we can be back on the chains quickly."

The vessel typically completes a crossing of Poole Harbour in approximately four minutes. The service helps motorists avoid a road detour of up to 25 miles, or 40 kilometers.