THE Vale Council has said a proposal for a Barry Minehead ferry would be an idea worth exploring.

Early proposals by a Minehead Town Council-based group in May last year suggested a dock would be built just north of the harbour around Culvercliffe providing the link to Wales’s largest town with Councillor, John Clyde-Smith, a group member, describing the idea of a small-scale ferry as an “absolute no-brainer” with the vessel carrying passengers, cars, light commercial vehicles and caravans.

Barry Island traders recently suggested a service would boost visitor numbers and the town's economy – cutting travel time between South Wales and the West Country by more than a third – with a ferry using Barry Dock.

Vale Council director of development services, Rob Thomas said: “A Barry Minehead ferry would be an interesting concept and one which merits further discussion.

“The Council is happy to talk to anyone with an interest in developing the route.”