A man’s bid to claim compensation after Windermere Ferry was cancelled and left him with a £60 taxi fare has been thrown out.
The man, referred to as Mr X, complained to the Local Government Ombudsman after he was left stranded.
He said Westmorland and Furness Council, which operates the ferry, should have provided alternative transport or information after the cancellation.
According to a report by the ombudsman, Mr X said the council should have provided support following the cancellation of the ferry due to an unexpected mechanical failure.
The report said: “Mr X, and some friends, took the ferry and went for a walk. When they returned they found the ferry had been cancelled and there were no buses.
“Mr X says they were forced to walk, in the dark, along a narrow road to a pub and call a taxi. The taxi cost £60. Mr X says the incident was stressful, time consuming and expensive.”
Westmorland and Furness Council apologised for the cancellation and said it did not guarantee return trips and that was explained on its signs.
The report added: “The council said it cannot provide a back-up service but said it would improve the signs to give more information about alternative transport options and to make it clear it cannot guarantee the service.”
The council said it would remain the responsibility of the passenger to pay for any alternative transport and declined Mr X’s request to reimburse the fare.
The investigator’s report added: “I will not investigate this complaint because the council has provided a satisfactory response. It explained why the ferry was cancelled and why it cannot guarantee the service.
“It apologised for the inconvenience and said it would take steps to improve the information it provides. This is a satisfactory response and, once this is taken into account, there is not enough remaining injustice to require an investigation.
“Even if more information had been available, it would remain that a taxi was the only option and Mr X would still have had to pay for it. In addition, while the council agrees it should provide more information, Mr X was able to find alternative transport.
“And, as the council does not guarantee the service, there is no scope for us to ask it to refund the £60 or provide a back-up service when the ferry fails.”
