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Sad to report that SpeedFerries service from Dover to Boulogne has now closed, as the Administrators have not managed to sell the business as a going concern. All future sailings are cancelled, and your best hope for a refund of pre-booked tickets or vouchers is likely to be through the credit card companies if you paid by credit card (not debit card).

According to the Speedferries website (26 November 2008):-

The Joint Administrators regretfully announce the closure of Speedferries Limited (in administration). The Joint Administrators have been exploring every possible avenue to save the business since 12 November 2008 and it is unfortunate that a buyer for the business has not been found.

Speedferries Limited (in administration) will now cease to operate services between Dover and Boulogne and customers with pre-booked tickets are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements.

Customers who have booked by way of credit card should contact their credit card providers to determine if they are eligible to claim a refund for these now cancelled services.

All creditors, including customers who are affected by the cancelled crossings, will be contacted by the Joint Administrators in due course

UPDATE: The boat Speed One has been released by the French authorities and can return to the UK, which should make it easier for the Administrators to sell the company, hopefully as a going concern. A further statement is expected on 26 November 2008,

 
According to the Speedferries website the ferry company is now “in Administration” , which as I understand it allows for accountants to try to rescue the Company’s assets and decide if the business can continue or be sold as a going concern. On an optimistic note, crossings are cancelled only until 18 November for now, and customers advised to keep any pre-booked ticket vouchers. Let’s hope that they can find a way to rescue the company and all those pre-booked and paid tickets. This should be in the interests of all concerned, including the Port of Boulogne and the Port of Dover.

The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators, A Swarbrick and T Burton, who act as agents of the Company only and without personal liability.

Customers
Crossings have been cancelled for 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 November 2008 and customers are asked to wait for further information on future crossings and to keep any pre-booked tickets.

We will continue to keep you updated with developments in respect of the long term plans for Speedferries and notify you as soon as possible via the Company website if changes are proposed to be made which will affect your current position.

For further enquiries please contact customer services on 0871 222 7456 or refer to previous statements.

Angela Swarbrick and Tom Burton
Joint Administrators

The recent news that Speedferries’ fast ferry service between Dover and Boulogne has been suspended has caused much consternation amongst travellers to France. One of the unique features of the Speedferries offer was opportunity to purchase books of up to 10 open tickets in advance at highly discounted prices, and this proved very popular with frequent travellers, especially ex-pats and those with property in France.

Unfortunately there is not much sign of the service being resumed. BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme ran a story on the problems on Wednesday 12 November, and even the intrepid BBC reporters were unable to get any new statement from the company. Hence everything is log-jammed whilst negotiations between Speedferries and the Port of Boulogne continue.

The Speedferries website merely has this update:

Wednesday 12th November
Talks are continuing in Boulogne between SpeedFerries representatives and the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce in order to reach a resolution. Any further updates will be posted here as soon as they become available.

Meanwhile, the Port of Boulogne has issued this statement (10 Nov 2008):-

Due to an important payment delay by SpeedFerries referring to port dues the shipbroker acting for the account of Chamber of Commerce had obtained since some time the agreement of the Commerce Tribunal an ordnance abling him to seize the ship in view to be paid.
The General Management of Speedferries has been advised by the Chamber of Commerce of this act long ago and has taken no measure after many promises.
Consequently the ship broker has taken the decision yesterday night to proceed to the seizing of the ship to guarantee the payments.
Speedone is immobilized in the port of Boulogne up to a agreement with SpeedFerries.
The Chamber of Commerce is opened to all solutions to solve favourably and rapidly this problem in view to resume the service as soon as possible.

The one point for optimism must be that it has to be in the interests of the French to retain this service. It has brought visitors to Boulogne and the surrounding area and coastline, who would otherwise have landed at Calais and would have been whisked by the autoroutes inland without stopping. As much as I do like Calais town (especially the Hotel de Ville), the arrival from the UK is not particularly welcoming and traffic is herded through an industrial landscape and onto the autoroutes - you have to make a real effort to divert into the town of Calais. Whereas the arrival in Boulogne is very central, and the views of the town entice you stop awhile and explore.

For the moment you can still get good prices on the alternative routes to Calais and Dunkerque - Seafrance, P&O and Norfolkline. But no indication that these companies will accept Speedferries tickets.

Norfolkline tends to have some of the cheapest fares, but the crossing to Dunkerque is a little longer, but the boats are all modern and comfortable.

Clearly there are a lot of anxious and angry people - here are some of the comments on this website:-

“I find it amazing that speedferries sold me a block of ten tickets for £250 on October 21st knowing that they had problems, luckily I bought with a credit card so if they go under I should be ok.”(J G Harrison)

“having spoken to a very rude speedferries rep… i was told that my prebooked tickets are not refundable ,,, told to basicially to read the small print.. I have sixteen outstanding so i will issue proceedings against speedferries if they don’t or can’t honour them..” (donluigi)
“Why do people do this? Speedferry was a fantastic service that encouraged lots of people to explore further down the French coast. Think Audressele, Ambleteuse & Wimereux. You had to go through Boulogne which made us, if not others, want to explore more. If the French Government, or the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce, want to favour their own operators, why would we still be loyal? Although Speedferry was Britsh registered, it was Danish in originality and it brough a lot of trade to Boulogne who had been loosing out massively to Calais - think Citi Europe - not everyones cup of tea but a huge money spinner. We would be so sad to see it go - hope people see that is is more than about money, it is about competition! “(Laura)
“Will i be refunded for for the 130 euros i had to find to get back to the UK and what will happen to the rest of my block tickets of which i have 9 left?” (M K Hill)

“Bonne Chance Speedferries. Speedferries was, hopefully will be again, a brilliant service and a brave little company which deserves to succeed. I found their staff polite and cheerful, but I can understand that recently they may have slipped a bit. We all get a bit tense when it looks as if we might be about to join the unemployed. When they started selling blocks of tickets I thought about buying some, but decided against it. I guessed that they were trying to bring in cash. This indicated they might be having cash flow problems. The safety annoucements for Speed One always made me smile, having realised that there wasn’t a Speed 2, 3… The main ferry operators were obviously out to get rid of them. Yesterday, a ferry operators representative ‘put the boot in’ on Radio 4’s You and Yours. If it was in my power to help them, I would.” (Ash)

“Speedferries is a great service that has reduced ALL fares across the channel. I use every year Speedferries to visit Boulogne. My six year old daughter loves swimming and skating at the excellent sports centre at St Martin Boulogne and eating at Flunch. For those of us who can’t afford skiing it made an excellent winter break. Let us hope these problems can be resolved and the customers continue to use the service and show some loyalty to a company that has saved us all money during the last four years.” (Adam Wray)

Speedferries one and only vessel, SpeedOne, was impounded by the French authorities on 7 November 2008 in a dispute between the company and the Port of Boulogne. According to the SpeedFerries website:

Yesterday afternoon, shortly after 17:00 UK time, the Port authorities of Boulogne arrested SpeedFerries’ SpeedOne during its turnaround. The arrest was made on the basis of SpeedFerries Limited’s debts to the port in relation to port dues and taxes…..

As the actions of the Boulogne Port authorities are now proven to be unpredictable and inconsistent with their given guarantees, SpeedFerries finds itself in a position where it is unable to inform its customers, employees or business partners, of a firm date for the resumption of services.

The company deeply regrets this situation and asks everyone affected to accept our sincere apologies. Further statements will be issued when more information of substance becomes available.

It would be a real tragedy if Speedferries were to become a victim of the credit crunch or of some political shenanigans by the French to favour a potential French operator from the port. The service offered by Speedferries has been innovative. with some exciting pricing options, and it has put Boulogne back on the map for visitors from the UK.

SpeedFerries terminal in Boulogne

SpeedFerries has had a major impact on cross-channel ferry ticket prices with aggressive pricing on their Dover to Boulogne fast ferry service - when in many ways some of us might be prepared to pay more for a faster cross-channel service (just 50 minutes) and the port of arrival is Boulogne. OK, so the “boat” has fewer amenities than the big ferries to Calais and Boulogne, and with just one boat operating with limited space, the consequences of missing your crossing are likely to be more disruptive than for other crossings where there is always another boat scheduled before long.

The crossing itself can be delightful when the weather is fine, as the route hugs the french coast down from Cap Gris Nez to the port of Boulogne.

SpeedFerries are again offering a “super” ticket, which by booking in advance offers crossings for car + 5 for just £30 each way throughout 2009, which you can book now either for a specific crossing or as an “open ticket” or a later choice of dates.
For more info see SpeedFerries

Brittany is so different from the rest of France, especially the departement of Finistere (29 Bretagne) which stretches to the “end of the world” and the most westerly points of mainlaind France. It includes the most pleasant port of entry by sea into France at Roscoff on Brittany’s north coast. Served by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth and Cork in Ireland and by Irish Ferries to Rosslare, this is an unhurried and civilised gateway – a working fishing port with a medieval centre. The fishing industry is important, yet it does not dominate the town with large industrial estates and warehouses, and you can be tempted to tarry a while and enjoy the port, the town and the Ile de Batz just offshore.

The town has a number of good hotels, and even the Ibis, which I usually expect to be another functional forumula businessman’s hotel is in the heart of the town, with rooms offering a view over the harbour and beyond.

It has its tourist attractions, including boat trips to the Ile de Batz and the Onion Johnnies Museum ( La maison des Johnnies et de l’oignon de Roscoff), which features the history of the local pink onions and the farmers who went far and wide to sell their onions. often off the back (or front) of a bicycle. Every August the town celebrates this local delicacy with a 2–day Fete de l‘Ognon Rose (21–21 August in 2008) It has its share of tourist shops selling souvenirs and “genuine” local specialities and novelties.

Compare the town of Concarneau on the southern coast of Finistere – another busy fishing port in a favoured position and with a world-renown medieval walled city – the Ville Close. A little separate from the modern town over a narrow moated entrance (for defensive purposes) the historic city looks impressive from the outside. However, on entering the Ville Close, there is little sign of any civic pride or care – weeds abound, the walkway along the city walls is closed at points because it is dangerous; grassy areas which would make attractive parkland or picnic areas have been left as scrub. The superificially smarter parts are along the main street with its wealth of tourist shops which dominate the place.

I fo not want a Disney-type sanitised townscape, but compared to other smaller and less well-endowed places in France, the lack of any evident civic care, other than a few plants at the entrance, left me seriously under-impressed – indeed heartily disappointed. Which is why Roscoff made such a good impression.

To check Brittany Ferries timetables and fares for Roscoff and other French destinations CLICK HERE

Caen (14, Calvados, Normandy) is a major French port and a cross-channel ferry port - but, of course, the Ferry docks at Ouistreham which is on the coast, whilst the city of Caen is 10 miles inland - but is nevertheless a major port in its own right, by virtue of the Caen canal which links the city to the sea. Large ocean-going ships use the canal, which also has another claim to fame, i.e. Pegasus Bridge at Benouville - a bascule bridge which enables ships to pass, but is also the site of the first encounter between the Allies and the Germans on D-Day in 1944, and the beginning of the Normandy landings.

So, just to clarify - the Brittany Ferry route from Portsmouth to Caen actually terminates at Ouitreham, whilst Caen, which is 10 miles inland is a major shipping port. (see map)

So to celebrate its maritime heritage, the city of Caen holds its Fete du Port (Harbour Festival) on 13-14 September 2008 with visits onboard boats and ships, a maritime parade, boat trips, stands selling marine and other items, music and dancing, a collection of historic boats and a canoe-kayak water polo competition!

For more info see www.ville-caen.fr

LD Lines has announced that it will start a new roll-on roll-off cross-channel ferry service between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer (62 Pas de Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) from 1 July 2009 - offering 4 return crossings a day for cars, freight and foot passengers with a crossing time of 105 minutes. This complements the existing SpeedFerries service from Dover to Boulogne which takes just 50 minutes but has limited capacity.

Boulogne is in many ways a pleasanter entry point into France than Calais - and a good short stay destination. The ferry port is very close to the town centre and beaches, and the town has a good selection of restaurants and shops.

Book LDLines ferry to Dieppe or Le Havre
Book Speedferries Dover-Boulogne

WARNING TRIANGLES AND REFLECTIVE JACKETS REQUIRED

A few weeks ago we reported that the French road traffic laws were changing to make it compulsory for motorists to carry both a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in the vehicle at all times (and a set of bulbs). Now the AA reports:-

A law concerning the compulsory carrying of a reflective jacket (EN471) and a warning triangle (ECE R27) in France came into force on 1st July 2008. However, this regulation will not be enforceable with on-the-spot fines until 1st October 2008, when the fine will be between €90 and €135.
The French Road Safety Department has today confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.

We have arranged with RAYMAC a special offer of a WARNING TRIANGLE + A HI-VISIBILITY VEST FOR JUST £9.99 PLUS VAT AND DELIVERY (usual price for the Warning Triangle alone is over £10) - CLICK HERE FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER

La Beauficiere is a 3-bedroom B&B near Hembaye (50 Manche, Normandie) - see map.

The bed and breakfast offers spacious family bedrooms with a double bed, bunk beds and sofa bed. A cot is also available.
All bedrooms have en suite shower and toilet.
The accommodation offers a kitchen/dining room and lounge.
The B&B has plenty of free private parking and storage for bicycles.

The bedrooms are designed to incorporate the original features of the buildings whilst combining this with modern features such as the original oak beams which have being restored to provide a central feature in a number of the rooms. All bedrooms feature views over a cider apple orchard.

English owners Liz and Alan offer a warm welcome and plenty of advice on places to visit in the area. Ideally situated within an hour of Caen and 1h 20 minutes of Cherbourg, it makes an ideal stop within reach of the ferry ports. With all the attractions of Normandy (butter, cream, cheese, cider, calvados etc) there are the Normandy beaches, Mont St Michel all within reach.
SPECIAL OFFER - Three nights for the price of two for September, October and November 2008 PLUS discounts on ferry bookings!

cforms contact form by delicious:days

As from 11 July 2008, Speedferries, the fast boat service from Dover to Boulogne, will be accepting foot passengers on its crossings. Now this offers a decent prospect for a day trip without a car - the crossing is fast (45 minutes) amd provides you with an excellent view of the French coast and the two “Caps” of “Blanc Nez” and “Gris Nez”and the Boulogne terminal is only about 5 minutes walk from the town centre - and I think Boulogne is a much nicer resort than nearby Calais. Plenty of good shops (especially fish and cheese), a bit of culture in the delightful Old Town, a decent beach and plenty for the kids to do.

The service is based on a shuttle bus which will collect passengers directly outside the Western Docks and transport them onboard SpeedOne.

During the crossing passengers will be able to experience a range of retail and catering facilities before the shuttle bus drops them directly outside the port of Boulogne which is just a few minutes walk from both the town centre and forward transport links across France and beyond. The shuttle bus collects passengers outside Boulogne Port for the return sailing to Dover.
With a price of just £7.50 per person each way, regardless of duration of stay, book your foot passenger crossing today to avoid disappointment.

For more info see Speedferries

Brest (29 Finistere), Brittany’s major city and port hosts its International Maritime Festival from 11-17 July 2008.

With 25 nations represented, some 2000 mainly traditional boats, 15,000 sailors the event promises much over the 7 days - moored boats, parades of boats, racing, music and dance plus the launch of a newly-restored cutter ship.

Once again, Brest will be bringing together boats and crews from around the world and attracting all the fans. Nowhere else can you find such a variety of sailing boats, such a large number of small and large craft.

The crews that have been invited are the major contributors to the event, all true volunteers, who come along to enjoy meeting each other and sharing their great experience of the sea and the festival. The visitors are completely right. They like to find out about the sea, they love these magnificent or charming boats, which are so very different from those you see in today’s marinas, and in Brest, they can see them under sail moving around the harbour. They can find in Brest the authentic atmosphere of a real living port, as well as the emotion of a rare occasion. They can really feel like they are at the heart of maritime history…

For more info see www.brest2008.fr

Just like old times - but none the less frustrating for the traveller.

The French Rail network (SNCG & TGV) will be experiencing strike action from 8pm Monday 9 June 2008 for 24 hours, as railway workers are unhappy about the reorganisation of freight traffic on the rails. This will involve some disruption to services both inter-city and in Paris and the regions, but there should be services on most lines, albeit at reduced frequency. Eurostar services from London to Lille, Paris and Brussels should not be affected.

French hauliers are still demostrating against the increase in the cost of diesel and look set to continue to demonstrate by disrupting deliveries from oil terminals, border crossings and rolling blockades along some autoroutes etc. Bordeaux seems particulaly prone to such demos, and a nationwide series of protests is planned for Monday 16 June 2008.

The best advice would seem to be to keep your tank filled up and listen to the radio to try to avoid trouble spots.

As a matter of interest BBC Radio 4 has been running a series called “1968 Day by Day” and on this week’s edition was the report of similar problems in 1968 - 40 years ago - plus ca change! - see BBC.

For the moment (9 June 2008) there appear to be no problems with cross-channel ferries from Dover, other than roadworks on the A20 on the approach to the ferry port which are causing delays - see Port of Dover

Petrol and Diesel Prices in France (as at 09 June 2008, exchange rate = £1 = €1.24)

unleaded = €1.449 (116.8p) per litre

super-unleaded = €1.467 (118.3p) per litre

diesel = €1.387 (111.8p) per litre

For up-to-date traffic information in France (in English) see www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr

The French are up to their old tricks again - if they do not like what is happening to the cost of fuel, they blockade the ports and disrupt cross-channel traffic. This time it seems to be mainly the fishing and merchant fleets who are unhappy at the continuing increase in the price of fuel, especially diesel. However, French prices remain slightly lower than in the UK for fuel, allowing for the poor exchange rate.

Kent Police is issuing a strong message tonight to motorists and people intending on travelling through Dover, or planning to take holidays using Dover ferries, not to attempt to get to the port without checking that services are running.

The fisherman’s blockade of Calais is reported to be over and ferries are loading at the Port of Dover, but all travellers are strongly advised to ensure they check their bookings with their respective ferry operator before setting off on their journey.

Operation Stack is currently in place. Junctions 8 (Leeds Castle) and 9 (Ashford West) coastbound on the M20 are closed.

You can check the latest conditions at Kent Police or the Port of Dover

Operation Stack, which works to ease traffic backlog at Kent’s ports and borders, remains in place tonight and is expected to continue tomorrow.

UPDATE - FRIDAY 23 May 2008 - MESSAGE UPDATED at 22:00 hours on Friday, 23rd May, 2008

Current sea conditions in the Channel are slight to moderate, with a north-easterly breeze, Force 5, and the visibility is good

All sailings with P&O Ferries and SeaFrance to Calais and Norfolkline to Dunkerque are experiencing delays and have limited space on all departures.

SpeedFerries’ fastcraft services, from the Hoverport to Boulogne, will resume again tomorrow morning.

Port users are advised that all road improvements on the A20 through Dover are suspended over the Bank Holiday weekend and will resume on Tuesday.

Phase two of Operation Stack, the police operation to queue freight on a section of the M20 motorway to ease traffic backlog at Kent’s ports and borders, was lifted overnight.

Junctions 8-9 coastbound of the M20 are now open.

UPDATE - MONDAY 26 MAY from the Port of Dover:-

All sailings with P&O Ferries and SeaFrance to Calais, and with Norfolkline to Dunkerque are running to time with space available.

SpeedFerries’ fastcraft services, from the Hoverport to Boulogne are also on time with space on the 1420 & 1800hrs services, all other departures are fully booked.