Approach to buy Channel port
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BY MARTIN FLANAGAN
and THOMAS BLARD
Shepway Chamber of Commerce, in tandem with the Boulogne chamber, is sounding out Sea Containers about whether it would consider selling the port of Folkestone.
Jeremy Ward, chief executive of the Shepway chamber, said the aim was to see if the trade association could run the port and help to set up a conventional ferry service between Folkestone and Boulogne. At present the only passenger service is Sea Containers' catamaran, and Mr Ward said: "We need to find out whether Sea Containers would be prepared to sell and get some ballpark figures about how much the port would cost. Our eventual aim is to re-establish a bigger passenger service because both ports are dying commercially." It is understood that Shepway would seek finance for the project from the European Commission, local councils and trade bodies.
A spokesman for Sea Containers said the company was aware of Shepway's interest and would consider any proposals.
French civic and commercial authorities support extension. Annie Wable, deputy mayor of Boulogne, said: "We have lost the people we called the `no passport', who used to make a day return trip. It has been a big commercial loss."
Meanwhile, Brian Mawhinney, Secretary of State for Transport, is to decide this week whether to investigate claims that Folkestone Boulogne Ferries (FBF), the fledgling British ferry company, has been blocked from using Folkestone by its owner, Sea Containers.
FBF, incorporated in 1993, claims it has been stopped from setting up a service because Sea Containers wants to prevent competition to its catamaran.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments