TRAVELWATCH has welcomed the news that the future of the User Agreement is up for discussion.

Last week the Department of Infrastructure confirmed that it would be entering into discussions with the Steam Packet Company.

It said it would consider whether the existing user agreement remained in the best interests of the Island.

A statement released by TravelWatch said: "We are pleased to see that the discussion will be wide ranging covering future investment, the fleet, services and ports to be served and the resilience of those services.

"Recent statements from the Chief Minister and the Steam Packet's chief executive officer suggest that 'thinking outside the box' is required and TravelWatch looks forward to contributing to this process on behalf of Isle of Man passengers.

"Whatever the outcome of these discussions we believe that it is a major step forward that this discussion is now in the public arena."

A report published by TravelWatch suggests that the Isle of Man "is the most vulnerable large community in North West Europe to ferry breakdown".

Members of the public will have the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in this report at the next public meeting of TravelWatch which will take place on Saturday, March 17.

The report can be viewed at www.travelwatch-isleofman.org.