Future of Bristol’s hydrogen ferry questioned

Bristol’s hydrogen ferry is described as a showcase for Bristol by some… and a vanity project by others

Councillors in Bristol are targeting the mayor over the future of the hydrogen-powered ferry which was introduced to help showcase Bristol’s green credentials.

The developers of Hydrogenesis claimed their modest-looking vessel could help kickstart a new chapter in environmentally-friendly marine engineering when it was launched last summer.

Bristol City Council invested £225,000 in the project, which was highlighted its successful bid to win its status as European Green Capital 2015.

Green party councillor Gus Hoyt, the cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said at the time the boat was an exciting first for Bristol. “It will showcase Bristol, the UK and the world the benefits of a technology that produces zero emissions.”

The ferry – licensed to carry up to 12 passengers per journey – remains operational and is moored near the ss Great Britain, but the project stalled when the temporary refuelling station fitted for the six-month project was removed in November last year and has not been replaced.

Tory Councillor Richard Eddy said yesterday he is ready to quiz mayor George Ferguson over what he described as a “vanity project”. He has tabled questions for the mayor at the next councillors Members’ Forum, to be held on September 16.

In a statement yesterday, he demanded to know what had been achieved since the boat took to the harbourside waters last summer.

“I have always been an outspoken critic of this quite blatant vanity project,” he said. “I am really keen to know what, if anything, has been learnt from this grand experiment.

“As I understand it, the technology itself was not new – for example, there are such low-emission ships in service on the Continent, and it never represented a viable means of transportation for very large numbers of people.

“With this boat having seemingly been left to rot, there must be doubts even in the minds of its most ardent supporters over what nearly a quarter of a million pounds capital investment has actually achieved.

“I look forward to hearing what the mayor has to say on the matter but very much doubt most Bristol taxpayers will think that this has been money well spent.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat councillor Christian Martin has also weighed into the debate, announcing yesterday he will call in the project for scrutiny by a cross-party group of councillors next month.

He said the ferry – championed by fellow Lib Dem councillor Neil Harrison back in 2011 – had helped to put Bristol on the map and “we would not be celebrating Bristol’s status as a Green Capital city without it”.

But he added: “It is disappointing that progress has stalled since the mayor took over the council. This is another example of how he talks the talk but has not taken any action.”

He called on Cllr Eddy to speak to the operators who he said claimed it was still a “very live viable project”.

“I would urge the Tories and in particular Cllr Eddy to consider getting in contact with them himself and with a delegation perhaps visiting the project to understand fully the hydrogen boat’s true value to Bristol,” he said.

Bristol City Council was unable to confirm any plans for the future of the hydrogen ferry last night.