SANDBANKS chain ferry will be back in action on Thursday, bosses have confirmed. 

The crossing between Studland and Poole was temporarily halted on November 5 for a planned refit that was carried out in Poole Harbour. 

And now, the two-week refit has come to an end, with the ferry Bramble Bush Bay expected to be back in service at some point on November 21. 

A spokesman for the ferry said: “Our team has been hard at work during our routine, critical refit, helping ensure the ferry, ‘Bramble Bush Bay’ continues operating safely and reliably.  

“We'll be back in service tomorrow at some stage after final tests - keep an eye on this page for confirmed timings.” 

 

The present ferry, Bramble Bush Bay, came into service in January 1994, and is the fourth ferry to operate this service since the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company came into being. 

During the last refit in November 2022, the ferry was damaged while being towed to Falmouth. 

Its prow arms were severely bent which one boat expert described as “a major problem”. 

As a result, the service was out of action until February 2023.