Condor considers Guernsey-Weymouth service

Monday 29 November 2021

Condor Ferries’ Chief Executive met officials from Weymouth Town Council this week, as Councillors investigate the possibility of reviving a passenger service between Guernsey and Weymouth.

Weymouth Councillors have previously backed plans to explore restarting the route, which last operated in 2015.

They have until the end of June to report to Dorset County Council on the viability of Weymouth harbour sustaining a ferry service to the Channel Islands.

The meeting between representatives of Weymouth Council and Condor’s Chief Executive, John Napton, is the clearest indication yet that the idea is being taken seriously on both sides.

Pictured: Weymouth harbour was popular with passengers, but the cost of upgrading it proved prohibitive and in 2015 Condor Ferries moved its UK services to Poole.

When contacted by Express today, Condor Ferries said: “We are happy to explore opportunities with partners and so look forward to seeing the outcome of the initial feasibility study.”

It is not clear to what extent, if any, Condor Ferries is contributing to the feasibility study, but Councillors have told colleagues that there is appetite in Guernsey to do a deal.

Condor Ferries switched services from Weymouth to Poole in 2015 when Weymouth harbour was considered unsatisfactory for the company’s new ferry, the Liberation, unless £10million was spent to upgrade facilities at the port. 

Earlier this month, Condor Ferries announced that it had extended the lease on its newest vessel, the Voyager, which will now operate throughout the 2022 summer season.

Yesterday, Express reported that the Liberation would sail between the UK and Cherbourg in France next summer.

Any changes to the company’s routes and timetables for summer 2022 remain unknown until they are published in the next few weeks. Separately, the timetables page on the company’s website currently provides no information as it is under maintenance.

The President of the States' Committee for Economic Development, Deputy Neil Inder, said that his Committee "is open to exploring new options for sea connectivity".

"The Committee is aware of the discussions in relation to a Weymouth-Guernsey link and has ensured that those Weymouth and Condor representatives are in direct contact to discuss further," said Deputy Inder.