14th March 2012

WEYMOUTH: Condor Ferries to move to Poole for the summer

WEYMOUTH has suffered an economic body blow with Condor Ferries’ announcement that it is moving to Poole until at least the end of summer 2012.

Condor said its decision to switch ports came after Weymouth and Portland council revealed that its remedial works to tackle serious structural problems with the ferry company’s quayside berth near the Pavilion had “not been successful”.

The council advised that the berth “remains out of use”, said Condor, adding that its sailings would relocate to Poole “until further notice”.

Condor operations director Captain Fran Collins said: “I am confident that our frequent services to the Channel Islands and onwards to St Malo in France will operate smoothly from the Port of Poole through the summer.

“Everyone at Condor Ferries is committed to making a seamless transition to sustain the essential ferry services to Guernsey and Jersey. Our customer service teams are working hard to contact passengers with existing bookings, to update our website and schedules to help those planning a trip.”

Initial alarm at the state of the berth was sparked by huge quayside cracks and the discovery of a serious void behind berth piling.

Weymouth and Portland leisure spokesman Councillor Andy Blackwood said: “I am obviously disappointed at the news.

“The priority now needs to be getting work completed successfully so we can get Condor Ferries back and operational from Weymouth at the earliest opportunity.

“There is a big responsibility on us now to do everything we can to get Condor up and running.

“Losing Condor Ferries for the summer is a huge blow to our economy and tourism potential and we need to limit that loss to ensure that Condor is back with us in the autumn.”

Some experts said that wear by Condor craft propulsion systems, other vessels and the natural effect of tidal conditions could all have contributed to berth damage

Condor said that the effects of such wear and tear was “generalised to all ports and locations and there are recognised protective measures and specifications that should be taken to reduce the impact of “scour” on marine structures like ferry berths”.

Condor added: “These include specialised design to quay walls to deflect jets and covering the sea bed in the area with grout, concrete slabs or stones to protect it.

“Such measures are normally put in place by ports offering berthing facilities for High Speed Craft like Condor Ferries 86m fast catamarans.

“The waterjet propulsion systems used by Condor Ferries are highly efficient. However, like most ship propulsion systems including propeller drive, water jets and bow or stern thrusters they can cause the water and seabed to be disturbed and therefore cause damage to quaysides and other structures where they are not built or maintained to withstand this. “

More than £50,000 was ploughed into repairs, sparking a row over previous years of council policy where large amounts of harbour revenue were siphoned off for general funds instead of being set aside for harbour repairs.

Weymouth and Portland transport spokesman Councillor Christine James said: “After seeing the damage that was there at the berth I am not surprised it couldn’t be repaired quickly.

“I think we were being rather optimistic and I think the damage was due to lack of maintenance because the Harbour Board has been fighting for more maintenance and this is the result of not following their advice.

“The Condor berth is like a woman’s face. If you don’t do something to keep the cracks at bay then you get problems and that is what has happened here.

“We spent £50,000 on initial repairs. God alone knows how much full repairs will cost. It is a sad day for Weymouth.”

Weymouth and Portland environment spokesman Councillor Ian Roebuck said: “Contractors working on behalf of the borough council have been carrying out immediate works in an attempt to stabilise the area around the berth used by Condor Ferries.

“Careful monitoring has revealed that the instability is continuing. The expert advice is that the immediate work has been unsuccessful and we need to look at a different and lasting solution.

“Public safety must be the borough council’s over-riding concern and we have kept Condor informed of the developing situation.

“The council understands the importance of Condor Ferries to the borough. It is committed to working with the company to ensure any long-term plans for the harbour peninsula meet its future business needs and that Condor is able to resume sailings from the town as soon as possible.”

Weymouth and Portland management committee chairman and economic spokesman Councillor Mike Goodman said: “We will now seek a full technical appraisal and long term repairs to start as soon as possible. We expect that repair work to last several months.”

Mr Goodman said previous moves to use annual harbour profits elsewhere had been “a whole council decision and all are equally responsible”.

He added that the Harbour Board had regularly expressed its concern at the need for repairs and investment in the harbour.

Structural problems with the Condor berth were not an indication of Board negligence, he said, adding: “There is no threat to the Pavilion, the new Sea Life Tower or any other structure on the peninsula.”

Harbour Board chairman Councillor Peter Farrell said: “A lot of people’s jobs depend on this.

“I am very disappointed at what has happened, but the Harbour Board has no executive powers to determine where money is spent.

“I hope that the management committee sees the urgency in ensuring that berth repairs are dealt with speedily to ensure the rapid return of Condor ferries to Weymouth.”

Condor added that all existing bookings will be automatically transferred to the nearest equivalent sailing by Condor Ferries and customers will receive a written notification of the change.

Updated information about the sailings transferring from Weymouth to Poole is available at www.condorferries.com but anyone who is concerned about their booking can call 0845 609 1030.

WEYMOUTH: Condor Ferries to move to Poole for the summer

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