MERSEYTRAVEL chiefs have been asked to reconsider a controversial strategy that could see the closure of Woodside or Seacombe ferry terminals.

The 20-year plan centres around reducing ferry running costs for the public, building on their commercial potential and ensuring they are sustainable.

Woodside or Seacombe landing stage looked set to be axed in a bid to make the service more viable.

But at a meeting this afternoon, Merseytravel chairman Cllr Liam Robinson tabled an additional recommendation that officers should investigate the option of a three-terminal service.

Councillor Robinson said: "The Mersey Ferries are an iconic symbol of our City Region and it is right and proper that we, as their passionate guardians, take a long term view of what we need to do to keep them on the water for all to enjoy for generations to come.

"We have to balance the need for efficiency to the public purse with their wider economic potential. This is what people would expect of us.

"Approving the strategy now means we have a framework that sets out the decisions that we as Merseytravel committee members will need to take.

"We are clear that we want all the relevant evidence and detail to take those decisions."

He added: "We will also take into account views and feedback received.

"This is already reflected in the additional recommendation to request officers to look into options to maintain a three terminal service.

"The potential for new vessels purpose-built for a leisure market and more frequent sight-seeing sailings in summer months would take the ferries in a new sustainable direction and one that could support and capitalise on new developments and investment along the water front."

Wirral Labour representative Cllr Steve Foulkes said: "The three-terminal solution was never off the table, but it seems to have got lost in the way the report was presented that the only alternative was to close Woodside terminal.

"Clearly, it's back on the table that there's a three-terminal solution up in the options and this will given full thought and discussion.

"So, it allows us the option of making the ferries sustainable for the next 30 years."

No decisions were made on any of the proposals outlined in the report during this afternoon's meeting at Merseytravel's headquarters at Mann Island in Liverpool.

These will be presented to members at future meetings with detailed evidence to support each approach.