The newly elected MP for Penzance has said that the decision by Scilly Ferries Ltd to not go-ahead with a fast ferry service to the Isles of Scilly is "disappointing" and has vowed to get government to take " take a fresh look at the Scillies sea link."

Meanwhile, islanders have been expressing their opinions on the decision in their hundreds on the Isles of Scilly Noticeboard Facebook page.

Andrew George says he is going to ask government ministers to "get round the table" and take a fresh look at the Scillies sea link.

His comments came as it was announced yesterday that Harland and Wolff was not going ahead with its high speed ferry service. 

Scilly Ferries Ltd had promised to get passengers from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly in under two hours in its new vessel Atlantic Wolff but have now announced the route has been scrapped without the new vessel making a single journey. It will now be returned to it manufacturers.

Mr George said Harland and Wolff's proposed Scillies passenger ferry had been welcomed by many, including him.

"I’ve communicated from first thing this morning with H&W, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Co., the Island Council and with others. The new government's Transport and Business ministers need to reflect on risks to sustainability of the vital sea link from Scilly," he said.

"Whilst I admire the durability and stoicism of the Steamship Company and the wonderful service of the much admired Scillonian III, I’m not alone in worrying that the future sustainability of the sea link could be at risk.

"When we compare prices charged for better (including ro-ro) services to the Scottish Islands with those from Scilly, it’s clear that lessons must be learned, not least in Whitehall. This should include lessons from the failure to fully utilise available public investment to secure the future sustainability of an affordable sea-link.

"I hope the new government will offer a new approach. I'll ask ministers to get around the table and to take a fresh look at the Scillies sea link."

Meanwhile islanders have been reacting in their hundreds to the news on the island's Facebook page.

David Mathews said it was a sad day for the people of Scilly going back to the old debacle of a service with absolutely no competition or alternative by sea.

"Personally I feel this is a decision that whilst on the face of it seems to make sense, I would also urge another provider with enough substance behind them to step forwards and make a go of what what H&W failed to achieve," he said.

While Anne Hirst said: "What a fiasco but finally common sense prevails. Whilst I'm all in favour of competition there was never going to be enough customers to support two services so one would ultimately have gone bust anyway."

John Hicks said the islands would be worse off now in the long run with visitor numbers vastly down since the 80s and 90s.

"This will end up reducing them even further, turning the islands in to a haven for the mega rich," he said.