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Historic UK-France ferry route closes early after 53 years
Final sailing of Brittany Ferries' Poole-Cherbourg service took place on October 12
The final sailing of Brittany Ferries' Poole-Cherbourg service took place yesterday (October 12), bringing an early end to a cross-Channel route established more than 50 years ago.
The Barfleur, which has operated between the two ports for 34 years, left Poole at 08:30 UK time (09:30 French time), following its final arrival from Cherbourg on Sunday evening.
The route had originally been due to close on November 1, but the date was brought forward after a gearbox failure forced the temporary withdrawal of another ferry, Commodore Clipper.
The Barfleur is being reassigned to the strategically important Cherbourg-Rosslare route, which carries almost a quarter of Brittany Ferries' freight traffic.
End of a 53-year connection
The Poole-Cherbourg route was established in 1973 by Truckline Ferries, which was taken over by Brittany Ferries in 1985.
The 158-metre Barfleur, named after the Normandy fishing port, entered service in April 1992. It can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers and almost 600 vehicles.
However, the route has faced growing financial difficulties since the 2000s, including competition from the Channel Tunnel, the impact of the abolition of duty-free shopping in 1999 and a two-year suspension during the Covid pandemic.
Brittany Ferries announced plans to close both Poole-Cherbourg and Portsmouth-Le Havre in June, citing mounting costs, falling passenger numbers and outstanding Covid-related debt.
The company also highlighted additional costs associated with the EU Emissions Trading System.
The technical problems affecting Commodore Clipper have also resulted in the Portsmouth-Le Havre service ending earlier than planned.
What happens to existing bookings?
Passengers affected by the early closure will be offered refunds or alternative crossings via Portsmouth.
Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said the Cherbourg-Rosslare route had become a priority following Brexit, carrying almost 25% of the company's freight traffic.
“It has been a privilege to serve the Poole-Cherbourg route since 1986,” he said, confirming that services from Poole to Guernsey and onward to France would continue.
The existing Portsmouth-Cherbourg service also remains available.
