A JUDICIAL review into how Wightlink introduced its new Yarmouth-Lymington ferries and the impact they are having on the environment is set for December 14 to 15 in the High Court.
Wightlink says it is confident it has a strong case to defend the ferries against the legal challenge spearheaded by the Lymington River Association (LRA).
The LRA is taking action against both the ferry company and the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
The court action was first expected to take place in the summer.
The LRA wants smaller ferries, or vessels to travel more slowly in the river, to minimise damage to mudflats.
Wightlink maintains the new ferries cause no more damage than the old ones, that have been sold, and wants to return to a 30-minute sailing frequency as soon as it can.
But its plans for a purpose-built linkspan remain stalled while the wrangling continues. That means it cannot revert to its 30-minute service because turnaround time is ten minutes longer.
Yarmouth Harbour chief executive Chris Lisher told a meeting of Yarmouth Town Council this week there was increasing concern that continued uncertainty was damaging the ferry route.
He said if the LRA had deep enough pockets it could carry the legal fight right through to Europe.
In the meantime, it looked unlikely the new Lymington linkspan would be built before the winter of 2010-11, said Mr Lisher.