ISLE of Wight MP Bob Seely has written a letter to Wightlink ­— asking for all its services to resume at the earliest opportunity

In a letter to cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink’s chief executive, Keith Greenfield, Seely said he was keen to see the resumption of sailings on all regular cross-Solent routes.

“I am pleased the cross-Solent ferry operators and the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board have been able to work together to secure the vital lifeline services that we needed during lockdown," said Seely.

"I thank all the ferry operators for working with me, and others, to keep Islanders safe as the pandemic reached its peak here.

“However, as we start to move out of lockdown, we now need the ferries to resume all of their routes and services to support commuters as they return to work, but also to support the visitor economy which we so desperately need to get up and running on the Island.

“I am pleased that Red Funnel’s Red Jet sailings have resumed, albeit on a limited service, and I urge Wightlink to follow suit with their remaining services.

"I know Wightlink has announced additional sailings on its Fishbourne to Portsmouth route recently which is a positive step.

"Now, I would like to see them re-opening their other services as soon as possible.

"The Island needs to welcome visitors back to support local livelihoods and the ferries need to play their part in that.”

Seely says he intends to liaise with the Isle of Wight Council and Government to work towards a more acceptable model of how cross-Solent services could be provided in the long-term.