On 5th December 2023 the City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, made the welcome announcement that a contract had been signed with Cammell Laird to construct a new vessel for Mersey Ferries. Details of the design specification, contractors and date for completion have not been finalised. Additionally the Snowdrop (formerly Woodchurch) is being extensively refurbished in stages to extend its life.
Meanwhile, part of the Government’s redevelopment funds for the Woodside area have been ring-fenced for a new stage at the Woodside Terminal, and design work has commenced. Friends of the Ferries anticipates learning more about these two schemes, in particular their programming, at a scheduled meeting with Merseytravel in April 2024.