THE current operators of the under-threat Tilbury to Gravesend passenger ferry service have issued a statement about why they are withdrawing from the contract with Thurrock and Kent Councils to run the cross-Thames link.

Jetstream Tours took over the contract to run the service in 2017 and are currently into a second extension on the initial deal.

At a meeting of Thurrock Council's full council last week (Wednesday, 28 February), council leader Andrew Jefferies made a surprise announcement that Jetstream were pulling out of the service.

Only days earlier Cllr Jefferies had assured residents of the service's continuance and that the council had made a U-turn on its decision in November last year to pull out of the joint-funding arrangement with Kent County Council.

That left Kent struggling to justify running the service on its own, and its administration announced they were considering the future of the crossing.

However, pressure on Thurrock – including questions in Westminster involving borough MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - appeared to have prompted dialogue between Kent and Thurrock, with Thurrock agreeing to make up missed payments and pledging to fund the crossing in future through use of funds raised from planning section 106 funds.

The money comes from developers who make contributions to help cover community needs, usually associated with their own development. However, the council said it had unspent funds it could use for the scheme which was beneficial to a wider community.

However, it all appears to have come too late for Jetstream, who have also had a lot of operating issues in recent weeks with many missed service and days when it didn't run at all.

The company's statement explains its position, saying it has not been able to reach a 'tenable' agreement with the councils.

It says: "Jetstream Tours has operated the Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry on behalf of Kent County Council since 2017 and are proud to have been able to provide these services to Kent and Thurrock for the past seven years.

"Following a second extension to our existing contract, in November 2023, we became aware of funding issues which started through the withdrawal of funding from Thurrock Council. We have maintained positive talks solely with Kent County Council throughout this period whilst a consultation period was entered.

"Regrettably due to ongoing concerns and uncertainties presented around future funding and an abandoned procurement process by Kent County council for longer-term prospects, Jetstream Tours has been unable to enter into negotiations with the council.

"Further short-term extensions to our existing contract sadly are not tenable for our business and staff.

"We feel it ultimately would lead to further protracted job insecurities and have an adverse effect on our ability to adequately employ and ensure continuity of a regular and reliable ferry service.  

"We regret that Jetstream Tours will not be continuing our services beyond our contracted period of 31 March 2024.  We understand that the council have been seeking an alternative operator to continue the service.

"Jetstream Tours and our staff would like to thank ferry users for their ongoing support in this troubling time and we hope that a suitable funding solution can be found to sustain a regular and reliable ferry going forward."