by Julia Roberts

Blue skies greeted the Gravesend to Tilbury Ferry as it began operating from the Town Pier this week.

A regular service was running from the £2.1million pontoon near The Riva bar from Monday, March 4.

A sign was erected directing passengers to the Town Pier from the former ferry pontoon in West Street.

The Gravesend to Tilbury ferry service operates under contract to KCC, Gravesham and Thurrock councils.

The new pontoon is part of Gravesend’s riverside and Heritage Quarter restoration and regeneration project. It is joined to the Town Pier by a 45m gangway and was officially opened in October last year.

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden said at the time: “We welcome the pontoon as another regeneration project helping to re-establish our historic links to the Thames.

“The announcement of the Paramount park development turns even more attention to the exciting future development of Gravesend riverside.”

The pontoon was funded by European cash as well as financial support from KCC and Gravesham council.

The service did initially start operating from Town Pier last year but had to move back to West Street after crews complained about lighting.