Matthews welcomes approval of new Dover-Boulogne service as good for Shepway

12.21.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Oct 2008

The approval of a new ferry service from Dover to Boulogne to start from July 2009 has been welcomed by Neil Matthews, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe and formerly a Marine Engineer including on cross-Channel routes.

Commenting, Neil said:

"It's good to see new operators offering services across the channel. More operators increase competition and should see better deals for travellers and more jobs for local people - including those living in Folkestone and Hythe.

"I hope that we can also see again a cross-channel service from Folkestone in the future as well. Like many others, I was pleased to see the 'masterplan' for Folkestone sea-front included a cross-channel facility.

"I hope that, despite the delay to implementing Roger De Hann's masterplan due to the current financial problems, that we can see Folkestone as cross-channel port in the future."

LD Lines has received full approval from the Port of Dover for the introduction of its new Dover - Boulogne freight and passenger service in 2009. Scheduled to start from 1st July 2009, the new service will provide four return sailings daily (2 on Sundays) with a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes.

Freight and tourist traffic, including coaches, cars and additionally foot passengers will be carried. The vessel "Norman Spirit", which currently operates on LD Lines' Portsmouth - Le Havre service, will be replaced on the Western Channel and is then expected to be transferred to operate the new Dover - Boulogne route.

The ship has capacity for 1850 passengers, 700 cars and 110 freight vehicles.

"We are delighted to have now received confirmation from the Port of Dover that our new Dover - Boulogne route has official approval and we look forward to a very positive, long-term working relationship with the Port Authority, " says LD Lines' Directeur Général, Christophe Santoni.

"Our entry into the highly competitive short sea cross channel ferry business is a major development for LD Lines. We are convinced that the service will undoubtedly attract new freight and tourist customers, which will benefit both Dover and Boulogne as departure and destination ports."

In the first year of operation the company expects to carry in the region of 120,000 freight vehicles, 133,000 cars and 400,000 passengers.

Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover said, "The Port of Dover welcomes the additional capacity at a time when it is planning a second ferry terminal to meet forecasts in traffic growth."

Fares and reservation information for tourist passengers will be published in due course at www.ldlines.com

LD Lines new service will operate to the newest French port terminal for passengers, cars and freight, as the first cross channel ferry company to inaugurate the Port of Boulogne's new Ro Ro terminal from 1st July 2009.

The construction of Boulogne's new Ro Ro terminal and the first linkspan began in the second half of 2008 and will be operating by 1st July 2009.

This represents an initial 35 million euros investment as part of the Hub Port Boulogne development. Construction of the second phase, with the addition of a second linkspan and further investment of 45 million euros, will be completed by 2010.

The new route will also be re-introducing a cross channel freight option, which currently does not exist between the UK and Boulogne. With Boulogne being France's most important fishing port, LD Lines new service and specific sailing times will cater for this industry.