WHAT does the future hold for the Barfleur?

The giant cross-Channel ferry was taken out of service on the Poole to Cherbourg route earlier this year, and is still in mothballs.

French rumours that it might be reinstated next year have been denied by Brittany Ferries – but campaigners are not giving up hope.

“With great expectation we are hoping that the Barfleur will come back,” said Cllr Ron Parker, cabinet portfolio holder for the local economy, who has been campaigning for extended ferry links with twin town Cherbourg.

“It could be a dual-purpose vessel as before, carrying freight and passengers.”

The shock announcement that Poole was to lose the Barfleur and along with it the year-round ferry service to Cherbourg, came in December last year.

After 17 years plying the route, the loss-making ferry was taken out of service in March and is currently moored at Caen. Poole has been left with an April to October high-speed service running alongside the freight ferry Cotentin.

“There is a study being undertaken to consider how we might utilise the Barfleur,” said Steve Tuckwell, spokesman for Brittany Ferries.

“Since it was taken out of service we haven’t been successful in finding a buyer or anyone to charter her.

“It’s not very sensible to keep a ship idle for so long.

“There is no proposal at the moment to reinstate the service,” he said.

French local newspapers have taken up the rumours, which Mr Tuckwell believes came out of a recent shareholders’ meeting in France.

“People are adding two and two and making five. There is an element of wishful thinking,” he added.

In April Poole’s then mayor, Cllr Charles Meachin and Cllr Parker met their counterparts and the chairman of the Brittany Ferries board to press for the service to be extended.

The subsequent announcement that the fast ferry service was to be extended to provide a longer season – until the end of October – was greeted as a vote of confidence for the port.

“We are anxious to get as many people on the boat as possible,” said Cllr Parker.

“Please use it. If you don’t use it you will lose it.”