A VITAL transport link that serves one million passengers a year could be under threat.

A legal challenge being mounted by campaigners fighting the introduction of Wightlink’s new Lymington to Yarmouth ferries could leave passengers with no service at all.

The Lymington River Association (LRA) wants the W-class vessels to be withdrawn from service until the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) finishes assessing their impact on the environment.

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The case is due to be heard next Friday – the day the old C-class craft on the route lose their safety licence.

If Wightlink is forced to withdraw the new vessels, thousands of passengers on both sides of the Solent could be left with no ferries.

Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner spoke out over fears that the High Court hearing could result in the service being halted.

He said: “There may be environmental issues involved but the most important thing is that the service continues to run and I don’t mind how that’s achieved, within reason.

It’s a lifeline service which many depend upon.”

Asked about the possibility of it being suspended Mr Turner said: “I think it’s unlikely but we must wait and see what happens.”

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne expressed similar views.

He said: “There’s a danger we must worry about – ie that we won’t have any ferries – but I’m reasonably confident a solution will be found.

“I don’t think it would take a great deal of work to relicence the C-class vessels.”

A notice at Wightlink’s Lymington terminal confirms that the passenger safety certificates awarded to the old ferries are due to expire next Friday.

But LRA spokesman Stephen Akester said he doubted that the service would be suspended, whatever the outcome of the court case. He said a survey conducted in 2005 showed that the C-class vessels had a 50-year lifespan and could be used until 2023.

Mr Akester forecast that their safety certificates would be renewed if the new ferries had to be taken out of action.

“If our action is successful there would be a scramble to get the C-class vessels back in service and it’s likely that Wightlink would be given a reasonable time to do that,”

he said. “I doubt that the politicians would allow the service to stop.”

Wightlink declined to discuss the possibility that the service might be halted.

A spokesman would only say: “Wightlink have complied with all statutory requirements in relation to the introduction of its new ferries and is confident that we have complied with all our legal obligations.”