In November, the chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, Jim Stewart, announced that talks were taking place with Brittany Ferries, regarding a possible return to service for the Barfleur ferry. Brittany Ferries’ group commercial passenger director, Mike Bevens, has recently confirmed that the Barfleur will be returning to Poole Harbour in the New Year.

Mr Bevens said: “This service was withdrawn because it was consistently making a loss, but the response from the public following the announcement has, quite frankly, been amazing.” The Barfleur vessel is scheduled to mark its return to Dorset on February 27th 2011, with as many as three daily crossings between Poole and Cherbourg, which is located in northern France.

The Barfleur’s return has been made possible by a significant revision of services operating between Poole and Cherbourg. Mr Bevens explained that freight services would be given equal status to passenger services, with the greater focus on commercial operations absorbing the losses generated by the passenger service.

News of the Barfleur’s return to Poole Harbour is likely to be welcomed by the local community in Dorset, which sustained 41 job losses and a significant reduction in revenue, following the Barfleur’s withdrawal from service.

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