More than 1,500 people have their say on new Mersey Ferry plans

Carried out over three weeks in August and September, a consultation was held to find out what the public want from the new ferry, how it could look and what facilities could be available.

Key groups including Friends of the Ferries and the Ferries Heritage Group also had their say.

The commissioning of a new vessel represents the next step in a 20-year vision for the Mersey Ferries.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram told the Globe: "The Mersey Ferry is an iconic symbol of our City Region and we’ve recognised their importance to local people by asking them how they would like the new vessels to look and what facilities they could have.

“The current fleet is sorely in need of an upgrade as the ferries crossing the river today are actually older than the Gerry and the Pacemakers song that bears their name.

"That's why we're commissioning a new ferry, expected to go into service in 2021.

“We want to make sure that the next generation of ferries is as beloved as the current fleet by building a new vessel that we can all be proud of.

"The results of this consultation will help us do that and make sure they continue to be recognised across the world.

Some of the key points from the consultation where that the new ferry should be able to cater for different uses including leisure and hospitality and that customer experience on board is more important than the look of the vessel.

Cllr Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation regarding the new Mersey Ferry.

“The feedback we have received has included some really interesting and useful suggestions, many of which we were already looking at and shows that we’re on the right track with our plans to provide the city region with a new vessel it can be proud of.”

For more information visit http://oneplace/News/Pages/20-year-vision-for-Mersey-Ferries-to-go-to-Merseytravel-Committee.aspx