New Ferry Vessel Has Maiden Voyage
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THE latest addition to the fleet
operated by the Transport Ferry Service, the 2,600-ton m.v. Ionic Ferry, made its maiden voyage from Preston to Larne last Friday. The new vessel is a sister ship of the m.v. 1Bardic Ferry, which was brought into service in September, 1957, and is to be transferred to the Tilbury-Antwerp service.
Both these ships were specially designed for the "drive-on, drive-off" transport of commercial vehicles, containers and cars. Up to 90 vehicles can be carried on a deck area of about 16,000 sq. ft. Accommodation is provided for 17 first-class and 36 second-class passengers and drivers accompanying their lorries.
Features of the two newer vessels of the seven-ship fleet include the provision of Denny-Brown stabilizers, stern loading doors, and a service speed of 14 knots.
The Transport Perri Service last year carried some 40,000 vehicles and containers, with 260,000 tons of cargo, On the Northern Ireland route. There are daily sailings (except Sundays) in each direction from Preston to Larne, and a weekly service between Preston and Belfast. On the Tilbury-Antwerp route, there are three sailings weekly in each direction.
MOTORWAY PLAN APPROVED . BUT NO STARTING DATE DROPOSALS for a new motorway I running from Bristol, through Somerset, to the Devon boundary have been retained in the Somerset Development Plan, which has now received Ministerial approval, but no starting date for the project is indicated.
The Minister of Housing has assured farmers that the new road will involve " no early disturbance to agriculture." The plan was first put forward by Somerset County Council in a development scheme five years ago.