Plans for a West Shore passenger ferry are slowly sailing ahead.

At a City of Colwood committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, a recommendation was made for council to support in principle the location of a passenger ferry terminal on the Royal Bay waterfront, subject to further studies.

Studies would include looking at potential impacts to the shoreline and the capacity of transportation infrastructure.

BC Ferries is interested in providing a passenger ferry service from Royal Bay to downtown Victoria.

A pre-feasibility study from SNC-Lavalin highlighted that a solution to traffic jams B次元官网网址� commonly known as the Colwood crawl B次元官网网址� could be a fast-catamaran ferry that could carry about 300 passengers and maintain a speed of 25 knots. The study also recommended the ferry terminal would need to accommodate parking for about 250 vehicles as well as a bus platform.

READ ALSO: Colwood, Esquimalt mayors support potential passenger commuter ferry

A staff report presented at TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 committee meeting says Colwood staff B次元官网网址渞eceived an application to revise the development concept for the Royal Bay waterfront described as Royal Beach.B次元官网网址� The revised concept identifies a site for a future ferry terminal, according to the report, but specifications are dependent on more studies conducted by BC Ferries.

Staff also need to conduct further studies and analysis to determine the impact of the terminal on beach erosion, public access to the waterfront and if the road network can handle an expected increase in traffic.

B次元官网网址淎 ferry from Royal Beach in Colwood to downtown Victoria has the potential to take about 1,000 vehicles out of the commute, as well as being a unique excursion for tourists,B次元官网网址� said Colwood Mayor Rob Martin in a statement.

Councillors at the committee meeting acknowledged the passenger ferry is a unique idea to ease traffic woes but said much more needs to be studied before moving full steam ahead.

READ ALSO: Colwood mayor pitches ferry as commuter alternative

B次元官网网址淚 think the idea of having a ferry to Victoria from our waterfront is very attractive,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Michael Baxter. B次元官网网址淏ut as the study makes clear there are an awful lot of things that need to be studied.B次元官网网址�

A key issue noted by all councillors was the effects of the ferry terminal on the lagoon in terms of beach erosion as well as the quality of the waterfront for residents. Other concerns were how much ferry tickets would cost B次元官网网址� including how much of the ticket would be subsidized B次元官网网址� as well as how the ferry will link up with buses.

Coun. Gordie Logan noted that the current traffic issues are not acceptable and that new solutions need to be explored.

B次元官网网址淏eing creative is almost a requirement if weB次元官网网址檙e going to continue to grow,B次元官网网址� Logan said.

While discussions are being brought to the table in regards to a passenger ferry, residents may be waiting a while before they see any major movement, according to Martin.

B次元官网网址淩oyal Beach offers some of the most beautiful waterfront on the Island, so there would need to be some creative thinking to design a terminal with adequate parking and transportation connections,B次元官网网址� Martin said in a statement. B次元官网网址淎ny proposal of this magnitude is going to be years in the making.B次元官网网址�

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com

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