The Port of Dover is running as if it were August with extra sailings, and plenty of spare capacity including foot passenger spaces. Normal turn-up-and-go fares apply.

Eurostar has put on at least an extra 28 trains and says it has 30,000 standard class one-way seats available from today at £89

Tour operators and airlines however, said the backlog caused by the erupting volcano Eyjafjalloekull is so great that it will take up to 14 days to clear.

Many britons held up in Spain are making their way to northern Spanish ports such as Santander to wait for the ferry crossing to Plymouth or else the royal navy ships which are being diverted to help out.

Some great discounts were available, so for next year find out more about the France show and how to get Ferry tickets via www.thefranceshow.com

A cross-Channel ferry to France which has been operating from a Dorset town for the past 17 years will be withdrawn due to declining passenger numbers.

Brittany Ferries said the Barfleur ferry between Poole and Cherbourg had been losing money since 2003 and would be taken out of service in the spring.

But the firm revealed it had bought a new £75m ferry to increase sailings from Portsmouth to northern Spain.

Poole councillor Ron Barker said the move was a blow to tourism in Dorset.

‘Totally devastated’

“Poole and Cherbourg have been twin towns for almost 30 years and it will have a cultural impact,” added Mr Parker, vice chairman of the Poole and Cherbourg management committee.

“This is [also] a bitter disappointment for the economy of both towns with a loss of tourism trade.

“We are totally devastated to lose the Barfleur – 80% of the passengers who travelled on it were from the UK.”

Stephen Tuckwell, from Brittany Ferries, said: “The new ship will operate three days a week to Cherbourg.

“We are also beefing up the number of departures from Poole to Cherbourg using the freight ships, so it is not the end of commercial operation to Cherbourg.

“But it does mean a switch from Poole to Portsmouth.”

Mr Tuckwell went on to say that the high-speed Normandie Vitesse ferry to Cherbourg had “done very well” compared to the Barfleur since its launch in 1998.

He added that “every effort” would be made to “limit the number of job losses” which “would be voluntary”.

Mr Tuckwell also indicated some of the staff could be transferred to Portsmouth to work on the additional services.

It was recently announced that the 24-year-old Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port is to be demolished in January to make way for a new £16m passenger terminal.

The 21st June brings a host of reasons why you would want to cross the channel. Firstly, it is the longest day of the year, which means it is perfect for a daytrip! There are a number of attractions within Calais and it’s surroundings, including the pleasant medieval villages of Ardres and Bergues, which are a short drive and perfect for a long lunch.
The 21st June is also Father’s Day, and what could be a better present than a short hop to France to pick up some of France’s finest wine!

Additionally, the 21st June is the British Grand Prix. This is the biggest motoring event in British racing and attracts F1 fans from far and wide. With Silverstone being less than two and a half hours from Dover, it makes it easily accessible for anyone travelling over from the continent.

Finally, the end of June brings one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar, and that is of course Wimbledon Tennis Championships. This iconic British tournament is widely regarded as the biggest in the world, and attracts tennis and sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Running for two weeks between the 22nd June and the 5th July, it promises sun, rain, Pimms and great tennis. Thousands of people from all over the continent come to Wimbledon, South London for the Championships, and there is no easier way to get there than by making sure you plan your journey with P&O Ferries.

As if that wasn’t enough, P&O Ferries are running a “You deserve a holiday” competition throughout June. Holidaymakers can cross the channel for £30 each way, to help make sure that the holiday budget goes that bit further.

There is the chance to win an amazing 7 day holiday with accommodation and travel. Anyone who enters the prize draw telling P&O Ferries why their friend deserves a holiday can be in with a chance of winning this great prize.

Make sure you enjoy your summer, starting with P&O Ferries and the month of June!

Cross-Channel ferry operator SeaFrance could be taken over by Brittany Ferries through a new holding company after negotiations with LD Lines broke down.

If successful, it would acquire four or five of SeaFrance’s vessels, which would continue in service sailing to Calais from the Kent port of Dover.

SeaFrance recently announced it could be axing up to 650 French jobs.

Brittany Ferries already operates five routes to France from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth and two to Spain.

It employs 2,500 staff, including 320 UK-based employees.

Union opposition

David Longden, managing director, said: “After 37 years of experience on the longer routes to France and Spain, this is an exciting opportunity to introduce Brittany Ferries’ award-winning standards on Dover-Calais crossings, and to provide an even greater choice for our passengers and freight customers.”

LD Lines, the newest ferry company operating between Dover and Boulogne and Dieppe, had been planning to make a formal bid for SeaFrance.

However, it revealed it had withdrawn its acquisition offer of a majority stake in SeaFrance, amid apparent union opposition.

SeaFrance’s parent company SNCF declined to comment on Wednesday.

Larne – Troon in under 2 hours.

Troon is only 35 minutes from Glasgow with Edinburgh not much further.

photo by Donna

Woolwich Ferry

Originally uploaded by Andyrob

The Woolwich Ferry is a free ferry service across the River Thames connecting North Wooolwich with South Woolwich.