A NEW freight and car ferry to Cherbourg and Jersey could be running by the end of the year. Jersey deputy Sean Power has gathered a collective of French and Jersey private investors to fund the operation that will cater for heavy commercials as well as private vehicles and motorcycles. Deputy Power said that the service would bring many benefits to Guernsey.

‘The freight ferry would be able to carry trucks, containers and recreational vehicles which most people have trouble getting to St Malo because of weight restrictions. We are ready to sign a contract with a ship that will be able to carry vehicles over 40 tonnes,’ he said.

The freight ferry would allow islanders to travel with vehicles weighing far more than those currently allowed.

The maximum length for a non-commercial vehicle on the Condor wavepiercer is 6.5m in length and 3.5 tonnes in weight.

‘Guernsey is much closer to Cherbourg than Jersey and it should take only about three hours. It may also have an impact on Guernsey in terms of waste – if we can compact the waste at source, there is a possibility we can send waste to France, so that’s another option open to Guernsey,’ said Deputy Power.

Deputy Power also suggested that such a freight link with France would provide a better service to bring produce to the islands.

‘Sometimes produce looks really tired but this service could leave with fresh produce from Paris in the morning and could reach the shop shelves in Guernsey that night – I think that will be a big change for Jersey and Guernsey,’ he said.

Deputy Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer welcomed such a service for the island but believed non-commercial capacity would be limited.

‘I would say it’s an interesting concept for alternative routes to and from France. As a private enterprise they will obviously need to carry out research to ensure viability and sustainability and I understand it does have limited passenger capacity and is primarily for commercial use,’ she said.

‘But it would be good for Guernsey to have alternative sea routes for the movement of goods and we will watch their progress closely with interest.’