Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#1
Also hot off the press is the announcement that LD Lines are planning to open a new service between Dover and Boulogne in July next year.....
http://www.ldlines.co.uk/news.htmlBeen nice knowing you :)
#2
Again great news.
Boulogne is the place!
Andy
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#3
Well thats a very interesting story there..well done Scotchie
This looks like a substantial service to Boulogne and I suppose it must be said.. not before time. Surely that town has great possibilities for travel, being potentially much more interesting than Calais, one thinks particularly of the old town...yes very pleasant.
This service of course could put Speedferries out of business. Only recently Speedferries started carrying foot passengers..again that was a neglected market too...why did they wait so late in the day to do this, maybe they've heard of this new service. Nothing like a bit of competition to improve the services on offer.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
i hope that i am wrong here, bolougne chamber of commerce have a heavy financial involvement in this.
they gave large envelopes full of dosh to another prospective ferry operator, mr ayres!!.
why have they given a years notice of the starting date?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#5
What with P&O ordering their new ships, Speedferries after another, (the Western Dock's development) along with this I do wonder if they are heading for overcapacity here
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
#6
As previously said this is really great news for Dover and Bolougne, the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned, I suppose it will take some time to set up and iron out the creases beforehand. Looking forward to using the facilities of a new operator in Dover.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#7
With two companies sailing to Bolougne, two to Calais and one to Dunkirk, it increases the public's choice greatly.
As Dover develops too, it could be boon time for the Town and its environs if handled correctly.
Boosting tourism between the two areas is a must, Calais, Bolougne and Dunkirk have much more than cheap booze and ciggies and we have much more than Dover Castle and the White Cliffs (great as they are). I understand that some initial meetings have already taken place so people are on the ball.
It's not just regeneration that is important and very necessary, but so is tidying up the dilapidated and run-down buildings that abound round town.
We have said many times that Dover is on the cusp of some great regeneration, but let's not forget the ground-floor.
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#8
Excellent news, particulary with the foot passengers, what with Speedferries taking a few foot passengers as well Boulogne day trips will become a must... Far, far better than Calais.
#9
Boulogne have tidied up their beautiful town considerably and the place is a-buzz.
They have a go-ahead Mayor, an enlightened council and a revitalised Chamber of Commerce that actually get things done.
There again, we've always had a lot to learn from the French. They simply do things better than us, on all levels, while the Little Englander mentality sees us merely tinker around and moan and groan.
I hear that if there is a stumbling block to the new ferry service (which, I hasten to add, I doubt there will be), then that stumbling block will be you-know-who.
(Clue: not the French, but an unaccountable monopolistic quango near you! Any guesses?)
Allez Boulogne - et vive la Douvres libre!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#10
"(Clue: not the French, but an unaccountable monopolistic quango near you! Any guesses?)"
Can't imaging DHB being a stumbling block - they get to take the parking tickets when the boats come in !!
I do wonder the fate of Speedferries as they are only on borrowed time at the Western Docks - I can imaging them making a move to Folkestone if that ever takes off......
Been nice knowing you :)
#11
Speedferries are apparently fine where they are, staying put at Boulogne's Gare Maritime while the new ferry berths (one next year, and one in 2010) will be on the site of the old chemical factory in Boulogne's new RoRo HubPort.
I think the competition will be great for both companies and terrific for Boulogne and Dover.
I'd imagine a third company will operate a seasonal passenger and car ferry service out of Folkestone Harbour again in the not-too-distant.
Regards,
Andy
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#12
"Speedferries are apparently fine where they are"
Not on the Dover side as there building will be demolished, berth removed and areas turned into parking
Been nice knowing you :)
