Josh MacAlister MP has launched a public survey to test local demand for a potential new fast passenger service between Whitehaven and the Isle of Man.
The idea is being explored following interest from a boat operator with a 12-seat vessel who is considering running direct passenger sailings from Whitehaven Harbour.
The service would initially operate on selected days during the spring and summer, offering opportunities for day trips, weekend breaks and travel to major Isle of Man events such as the TT and Manx Grand Prix.
Josh is now asking residents across West Cumbria and the wider county to take part in a short survey to help establish whether there is sufficient demand to take the proposal further.
The survey asks how likely people would be to use the service, what they would use it for, when they would be most likely to travel and what they would consider a reasonable ticket price.
Interest exploded on social media when the proposal was announced on Monday, with 3,000 residents filling out the survey in the first 24 hours.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said:
“This is a really interesting idea and one that could create another reason for people to visit Whitehaven Harbour, as well as giving local residents a completely new way to get to the Isle of Man.
“But before we get carried away, we need to know whether there is a genuine market for it and whether the numbers could stack up.
“That’s why I’m asking people across West Cumbria to spend a couple of minutes filling in the survey. We want to understand how many people would realistically use a service, what they would use it for and, crucially, what they would be prepared to pay.
“If there’s enough interest, we can then work with the operator, Whitehaven Harbour, the Isle of Man government and other partners to look in much more detail at whether a trial service could be viable.”
The proposal is at an early exploratory stage and no decision has yet been taken on whether a service will operate.
Residents can complete the survey at: joshmacalister.uk/isle-of-man