How The Sandbanks Ferry Operates
A Unique Parliamentary Company
The Sandbanks Ferry isn’t just another private business: it’s something quite special. We operate under an Act of Parliament that gained Royal assent on 31st July 1923, for the creation of the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company as a statutory company.
The 1923 Act has since been amended by further Acts of Parliament in 1928, 1956 and 1986, and together these continue to set out how the company operates today.
What Does This Mean?
Think of us as sitting somewhere between a private company and a public service. The 1923 Act gave us specific powers to operate the ferry service and to build and maintain the approach roads, but it also placed important responsibilities and restrictions on how we operate.
How We’re Different from a Standard Private Company
Toll Changes Require Government Approval
Unlike typical private businesses that can set their own prices, we cannot simply change our ferry tolls whenever we wish. Our tolls must be approved by the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Transport.
Borrowing Limits Set by Parliament
The original 1923 Act, along with subsequent Acts including the 1986 Act, sets legal limits on how much money we can borrow. Currently, our borrowing limit is capped at £5M – a figure that would need another Act of Parliament to be changed.
Public Accountability
As a statutory company, we operate with a higher level of public scrutiny than most private businesses. Our operations, financial decisions, and toll proposals are subject to detailed examination.
Why This Structure Exists
When the ferry service was established in 1923, Parliament recognised that this would be an important transport link for the local community. The statutory company structure was designed to:
- Ensure the ferry service would be maintained as a reliable service between Bournemouth and Swanage
- Protect the public interest by requiring government oversight of toll increases
- Balance the needs of the business to be financially viable with the community’s need for affordable, accessible transport
Our Commitment
The Company has been operating this essential service for over 100 years under this unique governance structure. Whilst it means we can’t operate with the complete freedom of a standard private company, it ensures that the community’s voice is heard and that this transport link continues to serve Dorset for generations to come.
The ferry service first began on 15th July 1926, and the current vessel, the Bramble Bush Bay, has been in service since 1994. We carry millions of passengers each year and remain committed to being both a practical transport solution and a beloved part of the Dorset experience.
For detailed information about our current tolls and timetables, please visit our main website.