Ancient ferry crossing - Hythe, Hampshire, UK - Piers on Waymarking.com

Initial plans for a 2000 foot pier at Hythe were lodged in 1870, but Parliamentary permission was not granted until 1878. The company had the lengthy title of Hythe Pier and Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company Ltd, not becoming the Hythe Pier Company until 1923. Construction began in 1879, and the pier was opened in 1881. The original Act made provision for the construction of a tramway along the pier, although one was not originally laid. Tracks were laid later, and were certianly in use by 1914. Hand propelled vehicles were used at this time. The rails at this stage were sunk to be level with the decking.

The 2ft gauge electric railway opened in 1922, electrified at 200 volts DC using a third rail. Three Brush 4-wheeled locomotives were acquired which had previously been used at the Avonmouth Mustard Gas Factory. One was dismantled for spares but the other two remain in service. Four vehicles of two types were acquired. There were two bogie trailers, each with three 6-passenger compartments, plus two bogie control trailers, each with two compartments, seating six and eight passengers. The passenger trailers were built by the Drewry Car Company, and originally had green lower panels and varnished above. There were also two 4-wheeled luggage wagons and a 4-wheeled tank wagon for carrying fuel for the ferries. The train livery later became blue and white, and then red and white in White Horse Ferries ownership, before reverting to green livery in 2004.

Type of pier: Commercial Expenses: Tickets Validity Fares Adult Return (Valid 1 week) £5.00 Adult Single (Valid 1 day) £4.10 Child/Concessionary Return (Valid 1 week) £3.00 Child/Con. Single (Valid 1 day) £2.10 Registered Disabled and Carer travel for same fare each as a Child/Concession Parking is available: Yes Web site: [Web Link] Contact information: Hythe Ferry Office: Prospect Place, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 6AU Handicap Accessible: Yes Fishing Regulations: No Fishing

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