Barfleur set for return to Poole (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Barfleur set for return to Poole
11:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News By Diana Henderson
GUESS WHO’S BACK: The Barfleur ferry is returning to Poole on March 18 after a paint and clean in Dunkirk. The ship will resume its cross channel journey from Poole to Cherbourg
POOLE’S favourite cross Channel ferry is undergoing repainting and cleaning in Dunkirk before sailing back into port on March 18.
The Barfleur is being stripped of its temporary DFDS branding as Brittany Ferries prepares the ship to resume its year round Cherbourg-Poole route.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the Barfleur back to Poole on March 18,” said Mike Bevens, group passenger commercial director for Brittany Ferries.
“The new timings will be perfect for day trippers as well as those travelling beyond Cherbourg and we sincerely hope that we can count on the support of the Dorset community to make good use of this link with France to help us sustain it long term.
“The signs are good with bookings to France in 2013 looking strong,” he added.
Fears were raised last year that the ferry might never return to Poole, as it embarked on a six month charter with DFDS Seaways on the Dover-Calais route.
The year-round Poole service was axed in 2010 after running for 17 years, for being uneconomic, but returned for the summer of 2011.
Now it is hoped the ferry, which will have daily morning sailings to France, returning in the evening, is back for good.
Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism Partnership, said: “This can’t but be great news for everyone who has an affection for the Barfleur and an affection for taking that route to France.”
He added: “Hopefully it will continue in perpetuity – for as long as the Barfleur is serviceable.”
Welcoming the return of the ferry, Poole resident Bob Grieve said: “I for one am hoping to be on the first sailing as I was when the Barfleur first came to Poole. Once again great news, well done Brittany Ferries.”
Cherbourg is becoming increasingly attractive as a gateway to France thanks to the newly completed dual-carriageway all the way down the Cotentin Peninsular and the town has a new retail centre, featuring 50 shops and a hypermarket.
Comments(16)
nobbjockie
says...
11:51am Sat 26 Jan 13
l'anglais
says...
1:57pm Sat 26 Jan 13
However a one week return trip in March with Brittany Ferries from Poole is £300.
Compared with a trip with LD lines from Portsmouth to Le Havre for £160.
This writing is on the wall for the Barfleur.
Permanent withdrawal as of October 2013.
Gastines3
says...
4:38pm Sat 26 Jan 13
I booked a trip only a few weeks ago to St.Malo at £180,tried to book a couple of days later,same trip,same details £420???? When living in France I used to get a quote from the St.Malo office,Paris and Plymouth,3 prices differing by £hundreds??? A
published price list would be a start of bringing some customer confidence back.
At least in it's favour,the staff are pleasant,the loading and unloading is infinitely better than the Condor and it's sailing times are more reliable.
Ebb Tide
says...
4:56pm Sat 26 Jan 13
That's UK austerity for you !!
KLH
says...
4:59pm Sat 26 Jan 13
l'anglais wrote:Don't speak too soon..
Thanks for the advert. However a one week return trip in March with Brittany Ferries from Poole is £300. Compared with a trip with LD lines from Portsmouth to Le Havre for £160. This writing is on the wall for the Barfleur. Permanent withdrawal as of October 2013.
Cosmic Crusader
says...
6:14pm Sat 26 Jan 13
l'anglais wrote:Not sure where you get that figure from. Current 7 day price mid week late March for car and two passengers is £218. Even so, the service has to be commercial and the demand during winter months is just not there. Hence I also see the writing on the wall!
Thanks for the advert.
However a one week return trip in March with Brittany Ferries from Poole is £300.
Compared with a trip with LD lines from Portsmouth to Le Havre for £160.
This writing is on the wall for the Barfleur.
Permanent withdrawal as of October 2013.
slytman
says...
8:16pm Sat 26 Jan 13
ferries.co.uk/be13e1
That does seem a very good deal. Can't see any major strings attached but it might be worth calling them to check.
Being local I like the service so I hope it's a success this year.
Lord gungedin of Ferndown
says...
10:45am Sun 27 Jan 13
rayc
says...
11:17am Sun 27 Jan 13
When I last wanted to use them for a non peak motorhome return it was over £500.
Even with the cost of Diesel it was a great deal cheaper going by Eurotunnel.
Local SW region people will not keep the service running so its got to be attractive to those who have got alternatives and this is where it will fail.
TheDistrict
says...
12:40pm Sun 27 Jan 13
.
Poole to Cherbour return, first two weeks of September, 2 adults and a car, £195.
.
Prices like that, I will back the continuous service of Barfleur beyond this year.
.
Yankee1
says...
11:15pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Lord gungedin of Ferndown wrote:There is no profit in you.
Does anyone know of any day trip deals going and if so the reference email address. I' m out of wine and desparately need to top up my supplies?
Load up at Aldi.
Gastines3
says...
7:40am Mon 28 Jan 13
rkets and take in the vast choice on offer of fresh seafood/meat/vegetab
les/bread and cakes on offer.Never understood why we get such a poor choice from our stores.Vitrually every vegetable/salad item shrink wrapped after a flight of several thousand miles.Local producers preferring to put solar panels or rape seed on their land.
Arthur Maureen
says...
2:06pm Mon 28 Jan 13
slytman wrote:Your link does not work
Just looked at Easter school holidays going out on a what must be a peak sailing, Sat 30 Mar and back 4 Apr for 2 adults and our 2 kids, with a car is £94 per person (total £374) which I think is reasonable value, especially when you can pack everything in to the car and not have to pay for things like airport parking. However, just noticed there's an Echo offer for £40 for a car and 2 people until the 27th March for £40 - http://www.brittany-
ferries.co.uk/be13e1
That does seem a very good deal. Can't see any major strings attached but it might be worth calling them to check.
Being local I like the service so I hope it's a success this year.
KLH
says...
5:42pm Mon 28 Jan 13
skydriver
says...
5:50pm Mon 28 Jan 13
rayc wrote:Easy get rid of the junk you drive, it's big so pay a big price, if you drive small you pay small, it's a pity you don't pay higher road tax as well, driving behind you folk is a real pain
Good luck with this venture but will Brittany ferries publish a fares list?
When I last wanted to use them for a non peak motorhome return it was over £500.
Even with the cost of Diesel it was a great deal cheaper going by Eurotunnel.
Local SW region people will not keep the service running so its got to be attractive to those who have got alternatives and this is where it will fail.
KLH says...
11:46am Sat 26 Jan 13