About the Sunbury Ferry

The community ferry project came about through the Spelthorne Borough Council’s River Thames Task Group. The group comprised of Spelthorne Councillors, Council Officers and a number of local community representatives with local knowledge of the river.

The aims and objectives of the Task Group were to focus on the River Thames as it flows through Spelthorne and explore ways of enhancing the river as a valued resource for local communities as well as attracting visitors to the area.

With many amenities and facilities on both sides of the river, the Thames can act as a barrier to residents and visitors alike. The provision of a local ferry service was seen as an ideal opportunity to provide a Sunbury/Walton river crossing, opening up both sides of the river to foot passengers and cyclists.

The aim of this specific project was to work in partnership with the local community to explore, develop and establish a successful community ferry crossing across the River Thames from Thames Street, Sunbury to the Thames Path at Sunbury Lock, thereby opening up both sides of the river to residents and visitors throughout the summer months at weekends and holidays.

It soon became clear that for the project to come to fruition, it would need a committed input, both in terms of finance and resources, to get the project up and running. It was also evident, that for the ferry project to be financially sustainable in the longer term, it would need to be managed and operated by a team of volunteers.

For legal and insurance purposes, Sunbury Ferry Ltd. was set up by two local residents to manage and operate the ferry service as a not-for-profit community company.

Despite the pandemic and the restrictions that has understandably placed on the project, Sunbury Ferry Ltd. Operated its first public crossing of the River Thames on Saturday 3rd July 2021.

The Spelthorne Borough Council River Thames Task Group has been a driving force behind the project in terms of financial backing and adding credibility to the forging of partnerships with a number of local organisations to make the project a reality. We are indebted to the support from all those involved in the project.