News Green Party-Led Petition Prompts KCC Support for Reinstatement of Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry

After gaining more than 2,400 signatures, including support from Baroness Natalie Bennett and Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski, a local petition prompted the Kent County Council Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee to pledge to fund reinstatement of the Gravesend-Tilbury ferry. 

This vital local service was cancelled by KCC in Spring 2024 after Thurrock Council withdrew its share of the funding. 

Members of Gravesham and Dartford Green Parties have been campaigning against the ferry cancellation since February 2024, when KCC ran a consultation on the future of the ferry service. 

The petition originator, Rebecca stated "The 2,400 responses to the petition demonstrate how much people want this service reinstated." People locally have described the ferry as a “lifeline” and a “much needed service”. 

The ferry has always been an important part of our history in Gravesend, as well as a vital service for our community. There has been a ferry at that site for hundreds of years, and there is evidence for going back to Roman times. The ferry’s discontinuation has disrupted so many people's lives and routines, not just people in Gravesend and Tilbury, but across Kent, too.

Gravesham Green Party will keep on campaigning, and are hopeful that this represents the first step in getting this vital local service reinstated.