A deal has been reached to keep the Fleetwood to Knott End ferry running until at least the end of November.



The service had been at risk after Lancashire County Council said they'd pull its share of funding at the end of March.

An agreement has been reached with Wyre Council that gives more time to find a longer term solution.

Since 2007, Lancashire County Council and Wyre Borough Council have shared the cost of providing the ferry.

In November 2015, the county council earmarked the contribution towards the ferry service as a budget saving, and subsequently gave notice that the county council's contribution would cease when the contract expired at the end of March 2017.

Discussions have been underway between the two councils for the last 18 months to try to find a sustainable approach to retaining the ferry.

County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "We have clearly agreed to the principle of continuing to contribute to running this vital ferry link and today's decision will give officers from both councils until the end of November to agree a longer term arrangement.

"The previous cost-sharing arrangements were agreed ten years ago so it's right that we work with Wyre to look at how we can operate the service in a more efficient, cost-effective way in the future."

Following the conclusion of the proposed review officers will come back to Cabinet before the end of November with a report which will set out recommendations for the delivery of the service in the medium to long term.