Ferry users should have a greater say to ensure that future services meet the needs of users.

That is according to TravelWatch, which has called on Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer to reinstate official consumer representation over the new ferry terminal at Liverpool’s Princes Half-Tide Dock.

The travel watchdog has pointed to the work done by the Strategic Sea Services Working Group, established by former minister Phil Gawne in October 2015, as how such a move can bring forward ’constructive contributions’ from and for ferry users.

SSSWG contained representatives from government departments, the Chamber of Commerce and TravelWatch.

In a statement, TravelWatch states it is unaware of any user groups of the Steam Packet being involved in the current plans for the new Liverpool ferry terminal.

The statement adds: ’After the success of having passenger and other ferry user representatives on the SSSWG, it appears a backward step that oversight of the design and preparations for the £30 million Liverpool Ferry Terminal is now being undertaken with no representation from ferry users.

’The Department of Infrastructure appears reluctant to make public any worthwhile details of what is proposed and to what timescale.’

The group state that Mr Gawne later decided the new ferry terminal was to be looked at by a different group rather than the SSSWG.

This is despite, TravelWatch claims, the scope of the SSSWG being confirmed as including on-shore facilities such as ferry terminals.

The watchdog says that before this, the needs of foot passengers to have good transport links with Liverpool city centre was ’brought to the attention of, and acknowledge by the DoI’.

TravelWatch has been very critical of the government’s lack of information regarding the new Liverpool ferry terminal, which, due to the ending of the Pier Head contract for the Steam Packet, needs to be ready for spring 2020.

The move is necessary due to a new cruise liner terminal, which will take over the Pier Head site.

That issue was highlighted on the front page of last week’s Isle of Man Examiner.

A press release from Liverpool City Council from earlier this year stated preliminary work was due to begin in October of this year at Princes Dock, which is just metres away from where the new Liverpool ferry terminal will be built.

While no date is given, the statement added: ’The council is in the process of promoting a Harbour Revision order through the harbour authority to remove the existing jetty and construct the new terminal.’