Historic UK-France ferry route closes early after 53 years

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 Cotentin, serving the strategically important Cherbourg-Rosslare route, is being sold, and the Commodore Clipper could have served as a back-up on the route, which carries almost a quarter of Brittany Ferries' freight traffic.

The Clipper’s gearbox problem has now forced the company to reassign the Barfleur and end Poole-Cherbourg sailings earlier than planned, as the Clipper cannot take up the slack.

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 also resulted in the Portsmouth-Le Havre service ending earlier than planned.

What happens to existing bookings?

Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said: “The reality is that, post Brexit, Rosslare/Cherbourg has become a strategically significant route for Brittany Ferries, carrying nearly 25% of all freight traffic so we must prioritise.

“I know there will be disappointment with this operational change, and I apologise to all those travelling from Poole in the latter half of October. We shall of course refund tickets or provide alternative travel on routes out of Portsmouth.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Poole-Cherbourg route since 1986. But we should be clear that we will still sail to Guernsey and onto France in our fast craft from Poole, even if we must say an early adieu to a much-loved vessel and direct services from Poole to Cherbourg.”

Brittany Ferries says that bookings on Poole-Cherbourg had already weakened ahead of route closure, but that travel from Portsmouth will be offered to all affected customers. They may also choose a refund.

Did you travel on the Poole-Cherbourg route? Share your memories at news@connexionfrance.com