Essential health and safety work to be carried out at slipways in Portaferry and Strangford

The Department for Infrastructure has announced its intention to carry out essential health and safety works at Portaferry and Strangford slipways used by Strangford Lough Ferry Service.

The works will commence on Monday 14 October 2024 and last for five weeks. During this time, and to ensure the safety of customers and contractors’ staff, it will be necessary to temporarily suspend the normal ferry service.

There will be no vehicle ferry service during the works, those who wish to travel by vehicle are advised to use the alternative route via Newtownards.

Alternative arrangements intended for passengers include:

• A bus substitution for some or all school pupils who normally travel from Portaferry;
• A passenger only ferry operating a reduced timetable.

The Department recognises the importance of the Strangford Lough Ferry Service for local communities and understands the inconvenience that these essential works will cause.

Notes to editors: 

1. Further updates about alternative arrangements will be available when confirmed at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/strangford-ferry-timetable
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at Department for Infrastructure.

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