A REVISED timetable to accommodate anticipated strike action has been announced by Red Funnel.

The ferry operator has published timetable changes for its vehicle ferry service in response to receiving notice of dates intended for strike action by up to 20 per cent of its workforce.

The company has confirmed that strike action will have no impact on its Red Jet timetable and it anticipates running this service as normal.

Red Funnel will be contacting all passengers impacted by industrial action, but people can now look ahead at the timetables to see what services are running.

The dates of strike action are July 27, and August 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26, 29.

Fran Collins, chief executive of Red Funnel, said: “Our priority is continuing to provide a lifeline service and ensure the Isle of Wight remains connected.

"This includes the transportation of fuel, medical supplies and food, ensuring passengers can travel for work, education and essential medical appointments.

“To provide certainty for our customers, the revised timetable is based on a 50 per cent reduction in some key roles.

"The revised timetable will come into effect on strike days only and we will be proactively contacting all passengers affected.

“While almost 50 per cent of the dates within the (strike) period will see no changes, the other dates will see our average of 19 daily round trips reduced to 12.

"We’re confident that this frequency will still enable us to keep the Island connected and supplied as normal, however, as necessary should we encounter instances where critical transport needs to be prioritised, we will action as appropriate.”

See the timetable at redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-of-wight-ferry/timetables

  • The service has been suffering due to a lack of staff members. Today (Thursday), the Red Jets have some cancellations. They are the 15:35 and 16:45 from Southampton, and the 16:10 and 17:20 from Cowes.