Ferry Commuters in for a Long Drive Home

Sackville ferry commuters can expect long detours later this week with industrial action to once again disrupt normal services.

The stoppages will impact services on the Webbs Creek , Wisemans Ferry and Sackville ferry services on Thursday 8 February.

•       between 6am and 8am
•       between 2pm and 4pm
•       between 10pm and 11.59pm

Transport for NSW said motorists should plan ahead and use services outside of these hours or take a detour.

Motorists wanting to cross the river at Sackville and Webbs Creek ferry crossings will need to detour via Windsor, adding 35 minutes and 1 hour to travel times respectively.

Motorists wanting to cross at Wisemans Ferry will need to take a detour to the south via Old Northern Road, Mid Dural Road, Gaston Road, Pacific Highway, Old Pacific Road to Wisemans Ferry Road, adding 2 hours 25 minutes to travel times.

The Maritime Union of Australia is conducting Protected Industrial Action in relation to Birdon Vehicular Ferries, the contractor operating on behalf of Transport for NSW.

Last week Maritime Union organizer Shane Reside told the HP that the situation is likely to escalate due to Birdon’s failure to present a pay offer after six months of negotiations.

“It looks like it’s going to dramatically escalate. The ferries might stop running altogether because the company isn’t taking our concerns seriously,” said Reside. Despite efforts for a resolution, he added, “Transport for NSW and the State government are not engaging with us seriously, so we’re left with no option but to take strike action.”

Emergency services needing to cross the river will not be affected by the disruptions and will be able to cross.

The industrial action coincides with the temporary suspension of the Lower Portland Ferry on January 29 for a minimum of three months, undergoing maintenance to maintain its commercial license for public service operation. 

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.