THURROCK Council's tight-lipped approach to keeping the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry service operating has been condemned by opposition councillors and Labour's candidate at the general election.

And Thurrock's current Conservative MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price took to the floor of Westminster today (Wednesday, 10 January) calling on Thurrock to reinstate its funding of the service.

This week Kent County Council launched a consultation with its residents about the future of the ferry service, which it has been subsidising on its own since Conservative-run and cash-strapped Thurrock Council pulled the plug on its funding last year.

The ferry has operated with financial support from local councils since 2000, after the previous operator pulled out.

But that longstanding arrangement came to an end when Thurrock Council decided, behind closed doors and with little debate, to cut its financing.

The council has been asked to comment on the situation by Thurrock Nub News and other media but has declined to comment.

Kent County Council has now concluded it cannot afford to subsidise the existing service on its own but is trying to gain a fuller understanding of the local and the popularity of the service and how it is used before any decision is made.

The consultation is due to close on 4 February.

Dame Jackie-Doyle-Price speaking in the Commons today.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Dame Doyle-Price - who was congratulated on her recently-awarded Damehood by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle - said: "So many people are using that ferry service to come to work in Tilbury docks and the incumbent expansion of the Thames Freeport."

She asked the Prime Minister to encourage the local authorities to continue to fund the service.

In response, Rishi Sunak said 'he would encourage' local councils to 'consider the importance of cross river transport'.

Senior Thurrock Labour politicians have today written to Transport Secretary, Mark Harper asking the Government to intervene to secure the immediate future of the service.

Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Labour Group and Jen Craft, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate have written to Mr Harper asking ministers to intervene to secure the immediate future of the historic crossing until a long-term solution.

Cllr Kent said: "This is clearly a direct consequence of the Conservative chronic mismanagement of Thurrock's finances, but we've asked the minister to intervene to keep this ferry running.

"We will work with all interested parties and local groups to find a way to secure the long-term future of this historic ferry.

Ms Craft added: "I have fond memories of using the ferry with my parents and cousins growing up - it is such an important part of Thurrock history and cultural heritage.

"I hope the minister appreciates the urgency and intervenes to ensure this is not one more way local people are made to suffer because of the Tory council's reckless financial decisions."

A standard adult day return ticket costs £5.50 on the service, with sailings between 5.40am and 7.10pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with no service on Sundays or public holidays.

More than 100,000 passenger journeys are made every year on the service.