Passenger watchdog TravelWatch says it fears Ronaldsway-style queues at the proposed new Liverpool ferry terminal.

It’s understood that the Department of Infrastructure will soon be submitting its planning application to the authorities in Liverpool for a £30m-plus ferry terminal at Princes Half-Tide Dock, which is half a mile down river from the Pier Head.

TravelWatch believes the move from the Pier Head, with its convenient links into the city centre and to bus and rail services, could cause severe inconvenience for foot passengers.

It says that given the distance from the city centre, most passengers will have to rely on getting the bus.

And while Liverpool City Council has given an assurance that there will be a bus link to the new terminal, TravelWatch says there needs to be a frequent service.

The watchdog said: ’Tynwald members and the travelling public are all too aware of the frustrations felt by air passengers subjected to long-standing lengthy queues at Ronaldsway Airport.

’It will be totally unacceptable if sea passengers are faced with spending a long time queueing for buses on arrival at the expensive Liverpool terminal. TravelWatch urges the travelling public and business organisations to monitor developments closely and to submit representations that the planning application and approval should be conditional on the ferry terminal operator being responsible for the provision of an adequate dedicated bus service. ’