Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
23 August 2010
19:1666945#21
Yes just watched the news about LD Lines never actually got to go on it myself, sad it didnt work out as Boulogne is such a lovely old town.
But it is true how the prices of Ferry travel differ,maybe not such a good outlook on the jobs front.
Glad Briony and her friends had a good time in Dover and Calais even though the weather was not that good.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
24 August 2010
07:4066990#22
You beat me to it Ed. I had that same News Release from Nick Stevens, but didn't get the opportunity to post it.
It is a sad day for lots of reasons - employment on the ships, on land in Dover and Boulogne and also all the investment made by the Port and Town of Boulogne.
The businesses in Boulogne must be really gutted; to my mind, Boulogne is a much nicer Town than Calais, but not many will drive down to Boulogne for a coffee and a snack/lunch/dinner.
I'm not going to comment on LD's pricing structure, but it's the same old story about not enough people (tourists and freight) using their service - is it the previously mentioned lack of reliability of the service, lack of promotion of the service, perhaps working closer/closely with the accommodation sector in the local area (this is something I think could have increased much of their tourist trade - it did when we had our guest house.
A big, big shame all round.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
24 August 2010
08:1966998#23
Press Release from BOULOGNE...many thanks to Nick Stevens. I did not myself get the original release but have had it now along with the following...
*****
In a statement the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce / Port of Boulogne Authority said :
The Boulogne Chamber of Commerce / Port of Boulogne Authority is naturally disappointed that the LD Lines' Dover - Boulogne passenger ferry service will not continue after 5 September, but recognise that despite passenger traffic being encouraging over recent months, the entire cross channel market continues to be a very difficult trading environment, affecting all Dover Strait ferry operators.
However, the Chamber of Commerce will remain resolute and totally focused on marketing and promoting the unique facilities of the Port of Boulogne, to attract new operators.
Boulogne-sur-Mer provides an exceptional strategic position between Northern and Southern countries with excellent connections to road, rail and shipping lines.
In addition to providing facilities to accommodate all types of conventional ships and fast ferries worldwide, the Hub Port development remains an ongoing, long term project which includes the creation of an important European logistics centre for trading, processing, refrigeration and storage of products, a combined rail and road terminal and establishing shipping links to and from the UK, Spain, Italy, Morocco and Norway.