Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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French Authorities Audit Cross-Channel Ferry And Newhaven Port As More Subsidies Are Paid Out - MP Requests Meeting With Chairman Of Seine-Maritime Department
A further subsidy of E18 million is being requested by Didier Marie, the new Chairman of the Seine-Maritime Department that includes Dieppe, to cover losses incurred by the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry.
The news was covered in the Saturday edition of Paris-Normandie, picked up near Dieppe by local MP Norman Baker, who was taking a long weekend in the area.
The paper also revealed that:
- The order for two new ferries is proceeding but not yet finalised
- Freight haulage increased by 59% in 2003, with over a million containers shipped for the first time since the line restarted
- Passenger numbers were up 15%
- An audit of both the ferry route, and of Newhaven Port, 80% owned by the French region, is being carried out, with results expected in September
- Rivals Hoverspeed continue to take 15% of ticket receipts from Transmanche under the deal reached three years ago, an arrangement M Marie is quoted as saying “will certainly end up in front of the English courts”
Norman Baker says:
“It is good that business on the line is up, and certainly the operation I saw at the weekend was more professional than has sometimes been the case. We do need however to understand more about the terms of reference and purpose of the audit being conducted into both the line and the port. Clearly the French will not subsidise the line indefinitely so we need to know their forward strategy. And as I understand it, the port of Newhaven is being treated separately and is required to break even now.
“For these reasons, I am today writing to M Marie to request a meeting, either here or in Dieppe, to ensure all possible help can be given from this side to ensure the best possible future for both the ferry and our port.
“As regards possible court action between Transmanche and Hoverspeed, I have long been concerned that the deal reached between the two parties was a rather one-sided one, but I would be worried if this resulted in court action, which could only have an adverse impact in the public mind on our local ferry service.”