States says island could benefit from ferry cuts

Plans to cut routes and sell ships could result in improved ferry links with France, Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development has said.

Brittany Ferries said on Tuesday it would close its Poole to Cherbourg route and review other services as part of major restructuring due to rising costs and falling demand.

The committee said it was in talks with the operators over a new timetable, including a proposed service linking Portsmouth, Guernsey and Cherbourg.

Committee president Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said the changes could be a "step-change" for the island, offering a more resilient long-term link to France while maintaining the "critical" freight link to Portsmouth.

The committee said the plans under consideration could increase the frequency of Islander sailings from Portsmouth from six to seven days a week, retaining the 04:00 BST arrival into the island.

"The new rotation is a unique opportunity for building more resilient and sustainable trade links with France and the continent, which is in line with one of the committee's work plan priorities," it said.

"It also opens up a new passenger route for islanders to travel to Cherbourg directly on an approximately two-hour crossing and then return to the island on the Voyager from Saint Malo or an overnight service back via Portsmouth.

"While the Clipper will be deployed by Brittany Ferries on a new route, it will remain the back-up vessel for Guernsey in case of disruption."

The committee added the changes would have no affect on Guernsey's "fast boat" service provided by the the company's high-speed catamaran Voyager.

"That service could, however, benefit from the consolidation of passenger traffic from the Brittany Ferries routes that will cease operating as part of the wider restructuring," it said.

"Passenger numbers from Poole to Saint-Malo via Guernsey are, therefore, expected to increase."

Kazantseva-Miller said the committee was committed to strengthening Guernsey's trade, tourism, political and cultural connections with France.

"Since taking office a year ago, we have been making good progress towards that objective," she said.

"While these proposals remain under consideration, the committee believes it is important to be open and transparent with the community about the in principle discussions that are taking place.

"As part of the next stage of the process, we are engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that all operational, commercial and community considerations are fully understood before any final decision is made."

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