RED Funnel vehicle ferries are due to operate from a temporary berth once again this week.

The ferries will arrive and depart from a different berth in Southampton across three days ­— tomorrow (Tuesday), Wednesday and Thursday.

The cross-Solent operator says it is necessary while a new maintenance pontoon at Terminal 1 is being installed, along with a new walkway.

The works are part of a £2 million investment project supporting the maintenance of the company’s fleet.

Across the three days, the vehicle ferry service will temporarily move from Terminal 1 to Berth 25, approximately five minutes away by car.

This temporary change mirrors a similar arrangement earlier this month, when Red Funnel used Beth 25 between November 2 and 4.

Additional information and guidance:

  • Due to the temporary change in location, the operator will only be able to load and carry vehicles on its bottom ‘E’ deck. This applies to all affected departures from both Southampton and East Cowes.
  • Red Funnel has contacted all booked vehicle passengers to advise of the change temporary change to operation and will also be sharing the update with foot passengers.
  • Vehicle traffic is advised to proceed directly to Berth 25 for departures from Southampton, while foot passengers should continue to arrive at Terminal 1, Southampton, where they will be shuttled to the Berth 25 foot passenger departure area.

Important travel guidance for foot passengers:

• Red Funnel recommends all foot passengers use the Red Jet service for the duration of these dates.

• For those wishing to travel via East Cowes, foot passengers travelling on a vehicle ferry during these dates will still need to make their way to Terminal 1 as normal.

• A free shuttle bus service will be operating between the main Southampton Terminal and Berth 25. Red Funnel is advising all foot passengers to arrive well before their departure to allow for transfer and boarding. The bus will depart Terminal 1 approximately ten minutes before the sailing is due to depart.

• During this time, foot passengers will also have the option to travel on any Red Jet crossing at no extra cost.

• Passengers making plans to be picked up or dropped off in Southampton should continue to use Terminal 1 as their location.

Important travel guidance for vehicle passengers:

• Red Funnel is advising all vehicle passengers to drive direct to Berth 25.

• Passengers travelling with vehicles should continue to arrive as normal, between 30-60 minutes ahead of their crossing

• Using sat nav? Enter post code SO14 3ZH (for National Oceanography Centre), then follow signs to Berth 25.

• Note that those arriving into Southampton from East Cowes will exit via a different, sign-posted route via Berth 25. A map will be emailed to all booked passengers and is also available online.