A PUBLIC inquiry will be held to decide on the proposed price increases of the Sandbanks Ferry. 

It follows Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road Ferry Company’s application to the government to increase its fares. 

The new price rises could see pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who have paid £1 since 2009 to cross, paying £1.75.  

Cars or light vans less than 3.5 tonnes, previously paying £5.30, may have to fork out an extra 96p to pay £6.26, or an 18 per cent increase.  

Passenger vehicles such as coaches and HGVs more than 3.5 tonnes could also see an 18 per cent increase from £10.60 to £12.52. 

An independent Inspector has been appointed to hold the public inquiry, expected over three days.

The inquiry will be held by the Department for Transport at Studland Village Hall in Heathgreen Road, Studland from 10am on Tuesday, December 10. 

New accounts submitted to Companies House show a turnover for the ferry of £3,314,355 in 2023/24 compared to £2,400,575 the previous financial year.  

Profits for the 2023/24 financial year are also up, recorded at £906,141 compared to a pre-tax loss of £721,149 the previous year.  

A report by auditor Richard Luckin said: “The ferry continues to meet the needs of the local community. Revenue and trading returns are anticipated to remain positive during 2024/25.”