Severn Link

{{Short description|British ferry operator}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}

{{Infobox Water transit

| name = Severn Link

| nativename = {{lang|cy|Cyswllt Hafren}}
{{lang|kw|Kevren Havren}}

| logo = File:Severn_Link_Logo.png

| image = File:Rapparee.jpg

| caption = Fast ferry Rapparee at Marchwood.

| locale = Devon and Wales

| waterway = Bristol Channel

| transit_type = Passenger ferry

| lines = 1 (proposed)

| vessels = 2

| terminals = 2

| marks =

| website = {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20180919212938/http://severnlink.com/ www.severnlink.com}}

}}

Severn Link was a ferry operating company founded in 2010 that intended to provide ferry services across the Bristol Channel in England and Wales. The route was to have been served by two ex-Wightlink 40 metre "Fastcat" passenger ferries capable of running at 34 knots and carrying up to 360 seated passengers. The journey by ferry was expected to take around 50 minutes,{{cite web |url=http://www.celticocean.co.uk/Ocean/itemPremier.asp?id=38 |title=The Celtic Ocean Guide – Severn Link |publisher=Celticocean.co.uk |access-date=2011-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726094024/http://www.celticocean.co.uk/Ocean/itemPremier.asp?id=38 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }} compared to 3.5 hours by road.{{cite web|url=http://www.bidefordpeople.co.uk/news/Severn-Link-Announce-Plans-Create-Affordable-Ferry-Ilfracombe-Swansea/article-1464852-detail/article.html |title=Severn Link Announce Plans to Create Affordable Ferry From Ilfracombe to Swansea |publisher=Bideford People |access-date=2011-08-03}}

The first route was planned to be a passenger service between Ilfracombe and Swansea, to start at Easter 2010,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8329714.stm |title=Spring launch for new fast ferry |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-10-29 |access-date=2011-08-03}} but a major investor who held the mortgages on the two catamarans pulled out,{{cite news|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Channel-link-ferries-sold/story-11690955-detail/story.html|title=Channel link ferries are sold|date=12 May 2011|work=Plymouth Herald|access-date=5 August 2015}} and talks to find a new investor were still ongoing in autumn 2010 with launch said to be delayed until 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11653067 |title=BBC News – Devon to Wales ferry link gets interest from new backer |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2010-10-29 |access-date=2011-08-03}}

Later plans were for a ferry service linking Ilfracombe with Cardiff, docking at Penarth. Severn Link were planning on a more direct link whereby the ferry would dock in Cardiff,{{cite news| url = http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/ilfracombe_ferry_will_go_to_cardiff_too_1_431197 | newspaper = North Devon Gazette | title = Ilfracombe ferry will go to Cardiff, too | date = 24 February 2010| access-date = 17 December 2016}} and the company said that it was considering other ferry services between Penarth and Minehead, and between Porthcawl and Ilfracombe.{{cite web|author=Western Mail |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/10/29/new-ferry-service-to-link-swansea-with-devon-91466-25041994/ |title=New ferry service to link Swansea with Devon |publisher=Wales Online |access-date=2011-08-03}}

In 2012 the company confirmed that although the withdrawal of an investor and problems with landing facilities had led to delays, and the two catamarans had been sold, there were still plans to start a service.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17078200|title=Severn ferry plan between south Wales and Devon 'not forgotten'|date=19 February 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 August 2015}} In 2018 it was indicated that plans for a ferry service were "still very much on the cards".{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Joel |date=17 May 2018 |title=£25m plans for ferry quay and breakwater which could link Devon to Wales |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/25m-plans-ferry-quay-breakwater-1553304?_ga=2.183236198.153772996.1647814969-1955888648.1592415821 |work=DevonLive |location= |access-date=20 March 2022}}{{cite news |last=Farell-Roig |first=Estel |date=22 August 2018 |title=The things that nearly came to Swansea, but didn't |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/things-nearly-came-swansea-didnt-15047323 |work=WalesOnline |location= |access-date=20 March 2022}} In 2021 a Devon MP called for the proposal to proceed.{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction=United Kingdom |title=Transport Infrastructure |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-11-17/debates/6893FDFC-E990-485C-BA44-00ECA54ABDAD/TransportInfrastructure?highlight=%22barry%20booze%20cruise%22#contribution-B4292DA1-9013-4B87-A6D3-B234DEA24A9B |house=House of Commons |date=17 November 2021 |column= |speaker=Selaine Saxby |position=}}{{cite news |date=18 November 2021 |title=Watch: Devon Tory MP calls for ‘Barry booze cruise’ ferry from England to Wales |url=https://nation.cymru/news/watch-devon-tory-mp-calls-for-barry-booze-cruise-ferry-from-england-to-wales/ |work=Nation Cymru |location= |access-date=20 March 2022}}