Wightlink has won its battle to safeguard a cross-Solent ferry service used by one million passengers a year.

Next month the company will begin to transform its Lymington terminal, which is too small for the larger W-class ferries it introduced two years ago.

It comes after a Government-appointed planning inspector gave permission for the improvements – ending delays caused by vehicles and foot passengers having to use the same ramp to get on and off the boats.

Wightlink has also received consent to dump 2,000 cubic metres of mud near the entrance to the Lymington River to offset any erosion caused by the boats.

Ferry bosses had warned that the Lymington to Yarmouth service could be restricted or axed altogether if the schemes were thrown out.

Both proposals were examined at a public inquiry at Lymington Town Hall last month.

Wightlink received a major boost on the opening day of the hearing when New Forest District Council and the National Park Authority withdrew their objections following a similar move by Natural England.

However, the Lymington Society maintained its opposition to the 1,496-tonne ferries.

Last night the society’s spokesman Donald Mackenzie said: “We hope the subsequent monitoring will be carried out properly and that Natural England will take the necessary steps to control the ferries’ speed and reduce the number of sailings if that proves necessary.”

In a 60-page ruling, the inspector, Mary O’Rourke, rejects claims that the wash from the boats will damage environmentally sensitive areas. She also dismisses calls for the number of sailings to be cut from almost 18,000 a year to 16,500.

Wightlink had warned that several staff would be made redundant if it had to axe some early morning and late night crossings.

A company spokeswoman stressed that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) was still conducting its own examination of the proposals and had yet to issue the necessary licences.

Last night an MMO spokesman said: “We anticipate that the appropriate assessment will be completed imminently. A licensing decision will follow shortly after this.”