Wightlink's Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head FastCat foot passenger service will be suspended after today (Friday, November 13).

The operator is blaming Covid lockdown restrictions on non-essential travel. 

From tomorrow, until further notice, no FastCats will run across The Solent.

Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart called it 'disappointing.' Island Labour's Richard Quigley has renewed the party's calls for the ferry routes to be brought under government control in the same way that some rail franchises have been.

This is the second time the FastCats have been suspended, due to lockdown.

In mid-July, after restrictions were eased, Islanders returned to work on the other side of the Solent, and holiday makers began to arrive on the Isle of Wight, a petition was launched calling for them to resume.

Wightlink car ferries were stepped up on July 24, while the foot passenger service did not return until July 31. 

Now, passengers are again being told to travel via Hovertravel, or on the hourly car ferry from Fishbourne.

The firm has apologised, but its Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said the current schedule was not sustainable: "We are sorry to suspend our FastCats and reduce sailings between Lymington and Yarmouth, however we will still be able to transport all essential travellers and supplies to the Isle of Wight on our remaining services." 

Read Mr Greenfield's statement in full: Covid: Wightlink Fastcats to stop and more changes to Yarmouth ferries

Wightlink says there has been a significant drop in demand - with twenty or fewer passengers on 'most' boats meant to carry 230.

However, one passenger has told the County Press on social media that he has counted more passengers on his essential journeys.

Brad said: "I’m currently on the FastCat back to the Island (17:15 from Portsmouth Harbour) and there is at least 40 people from what I can count at the back."

On Thursday morning, he said he had counted more than 50.

He tweeted: "This is ridiculous. Key workers are being made to not maintain social distancing because of greed."

Hovertravel is stepping up its number crossing from Monday.