Committed to good service

I WOULD like to respond to Carol Read’s letter entitled “No wonder port is in trouble” (Connexion, September). Brittany Ferries has been providing a passenger service to Cherbourg from Poole since 1986, when we acquired Truckline Ferries, and from Portsmouth since 2005, when P&O Ferries withdrew.

Indeed, we had a ship built (Barfleur) that was specifically designed to operate from Poole and we then bought the high-speed Normandie Express to provide a three-hour crossing.

In addition, we charter the Normandy Vitesse from Condor to offer a high-speed crossing from Poole during the summer. This investment, supplemented by an advertising spend of many millions of pounds over the years, is testament to the support that Brittany Ferries has given Cherbourg.

It is a fact that passenger numbers through Cherbourg have been in steady decline and, were it to be a more popular gateway to France, I am certain that other ferry companies would have given the route a try. Even P&O Ferries could not make it pay.

As to our fare levels, it is simply untrue to describe them as extortionate. The cheapest return fares on offer at the moment from Portsmouth and Poole are £144 and £154 respectively for a car plus two people, while a comparable fare Dover-Calais is about £60.

However, by taking our longer crossing, you save 471 miles and 7½ hours of driving which, according to Via Michelin, would cost £83.49 in fuel and tolls.

So, while it may be possible to save a few pounds, any such saving is offset by an extraordinarily long and inconvenient drive. We are always aware that our passengers have a choice and price our fares accordingly.

I could be excused for thinking that anyone calling our food “unappetising” has never travelled on Brittany Ferries, as this is one aspect of our service (according to passenger feedback) where we know we excel. This has much to do with being a French company and as such we take great pride in the quality and value of the food we provide.

I would like to reassure readers that Brittany Ferries is committed to providing the best possible service and great value fares, as by no means do we have a monopoly, competing as we do with all other cross-Channel ferries, the tunnel and, of course, airlines.

Mike BEVENS
Group commercial director
(passengers), Brittany Ferries