Building on the French connection
SIGN a ferry services contract with a company called Brittany Ferries, and maybe don’t be too surprised that the schedules which emerge carry a fairly heavy French accent.
We find ourselves signing up to a schedule which immediately looks far more disciplined than anything Condor has ever previously provided, almost certainly an opportunity presented by no longer needing to work around the tidal constraints of Jersey’s tidal harbour.
But of course some islanders immediately let the world know they are unhappy that the one occasion they’ll be using the service for their summer holidays is getting them into France later than they’d like, or meaning they have to use conventional rather than fast ferry to head to the UK.
However the reaction from industry figures has been very positive and focuses on the opportunity to make the most of improved French connections.
And that now applies to the island as a whole.
Jersey’s geographical and trade links with France are far stronger than ours, but to make the most of our new dedicated operator, it’s clear we have to embrace the French way of life.
And that’s not just Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq pursuing entente cordiale with Manche officials, but for us as an island to make much more of trade, cultural and sporting links with the ‘other’ mainland.