A Cumbrian MP has met with officials from the Isle of Man to discuss a potential return of a passenger ferry between West Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister met with the Chief Minister of the Isle of Mn and his deputy to discuss the plans which are at a very early stage, but Mr MacAlister said he will ‘do what he can’ to deliver it.

West Cumbria is the closest geographical place in England to the Isle of Man, but potential visitors have to travel down to Heysham in Lancashire to catch the nearest ferry.

It is hoped that a new ferry terminal in West Cumbria would help to further boost the tourism sector for both Cumbria and the Lake District alongside the Isle of Man itself.

“It was a real pleasure to meet the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man Government, Alfred Cannan For Ayre & Michael, and his deputy, Jane Poole-Wilson MHK for Middle,” said Josh.

“We discussed working together to bring back a passenger ferry between West Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

“It was one of the most popular suggestions in the Whitehaven town centre survey I conducted a few months ago and so I’ll do what I can to deliver it.

“We agreed to a follow up meeting bringing together officials and agencies from West Cumbria and the Manx government to explore it further which I’ll be organising this autumn.”

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The arrival of a new ferry terminal in West Cumbria would be a real boost for the region which has suffered with poor transport links for decades.

The reaction by locals has been positive with some suggesting that a new ferry terminal would go hand in hand with the reopening of Carlisle airport which hasn’t seen commercial flights since the pandemic began in 2020.