New boat link is 'a tourism boost'

ALDERNEY will now have a passenger ferry link with Guernsey and France. After successful berthing trials on Friday, HD Ferries will provide a service to run to the northern isle and on to Cherbourg as part of its existing route network.

On a full day of sailing, it will run 10 legs between the islands and France.

Chief executive officer Chris Howe-Davies said: 'We will now consider in consultation with the authorities of Alderney and Cherbourg how quickly we can set up the new routes and how frequently we should travel to Alderney and Cherbourg.

'Initially, we will consider two to three crossings per week to Alderney and Cherbourg in the summer, reducing to one to two in the winter.'

He said the new route would be a boost to tourism in the Bailiwick as well as easy and affordable access to Guernsey and Jersey for Alderney residents.

'There is no doubt there is also a strong freight requirement from the Channel Islands to Cherbourg.'

The fast ferry company started with a Guernsey-Jersey-St Malo service in March.

Security and mooring tests were all completed during the vessel's one-and-a-half-hour visit to Alderney last week.

There had been concerns the island's 56m berth would be unable to handle an 80m ship, but they were alleviated following the tests.

The company has already made waves in Jersey, with passenger numbers reportedly increasing by 20% to Guernsey and St Malo, while vehicle traffic has grown by up to 49%.

HD Ferries ran into difficulties earlier this year after a wave height limit of 2.5m was imposed on its operations - a metre less than its rival, Condor.

That issue is expected to be resolved by the autumn.