• Car ferries disrupted
  • New advice for passengers
  • Don't travel if you haven't booked
  • Red Jets restored
  • Bus routes affected

Red Funnel has issued a statement this morning (Friday) after its Red Jets were cancelled and a car ferry was withdrawn - creating gridlock in East Cowes and forcing some bus routes to be scrapped.

The County Press has been reporting on the problems since around 8am.

Red Funnel has published expected vehicle ferry sailing times and check-in advice (scroll down), with some bookings now shifted until tomorrow morning (Saturday).

Its Red Jets are now back in service, between Southampton and Cowes. They started running at 10.55am.

Red Funnel said: “Unfortunately, we experienced an issue with the sound signalling equipment onboard Red Jet 7, which led to a temporary suspension of the Red Jet service this morning.

"We can confirm that this has now been addressed and Red Jet 7 is back in service."

However, its Southampton to East Cowes vehicle ferries are facing major delays and cancellations and traffic has been at a standstill for much of the morning.

The cross-Solent operator said: “We are experiencing significant disruption to our timetable this morning which we expect to impact sailings throughout the day.

"This follows a routine technical inspection which resulted in the need to remove one of our ferries, the Red Eagle, from service to allow for repairs to be made.

"The safety of our passengers and team is our number one priority and we are working hard to keep traffic moving with Red Falcon and Red Osprey.

"We will issue an update on Red Eagle’s return to service as soon as we have more information."

VIDEO: Old Road, East Cowes in the last hour.

Red Eagle was also withdrawn earlier this month.

Red Funnel added: "We understand Island Roads roadworks and a burst water main are contributing to excess traffic and congestions in and around East Cowes, therefore we advise anyone travelling today to arrive no sooner than advised and to check the service status on the Red Funnel website where updated departure and arrival times are available.

"For customers without a booking today, we advise you not to travel to our terminals.

"For passengers who have the flexibility or who would prefer and are able to amend their crossing to an alternative date, this can be done via our website.
“We do appreciate that this will disrupt people’s plans for today and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

Red Funnel has published expected check-in times for passengers (CLICK HERE for latest.)

Isle of Wight County Press:

Reacting to the chaos, the Isle of Wight's MP Bob Seely said: "As a regular ferry user I understand how frustrating cancellations and delays can be and I will be asking the ferry companies to restore their services as quickly as possible.

“Mechanical issues happen from time to time.

"What is not acceptable is that it seems to take so long for a replacement. There needs to be stronger and more robust plans for when things go wrong."

Earlier, Southern Vectis scrapped its route 4 buses and advised passengers to take routes 5 and 9 instead.

It says it is now working to put on extra services.

Mark Jefferies filmed cars trying to leave the 9.30am ferry arrival earlier.

UPDATE 4pm: Red Eagle, the withdrawn car ferry, is back in service, Red Funnel has confirmed. 

A spokesperson for Red Funnel said: “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers travelling with us today. Our technical teams have worked hard to make the necessary repairs, and we can confirm that Red Eagle is expected to return to service today and is scheduled for departure from Southampton at 16:00.

“Poor weather and Island roadworks have also contributed to the traffic congestion in East Cowes today and we are deeply sorry that our disruption has added to the already difficult situation. Our teams on the ground are doing everything possible to keep traffic and our service moving. We also continue to advise all customers with a booking for today to check the service status on our website and confirm their revised departure and suggested arrival time as we still expect to experience delays throughout the evening as we catch up to our timetable.

“We wish to thank all affected passengers and particularly residents in East Cowes for their patience and understanding.”

Tonight's update can be found here