Hoverspeed - Newhaven-Dieppe 'delayed commencement'

[Ptostevin]

Hi

We had booked last year to use the Hoverspeed crossing between Newhaven-Dieppe for our Easter holidays. I rang to check what was happening when the announcements were made that Hoverspeed were not going to operate this crossing in 2005 to be assured that they were still taking bookings and our crossing would be OK. Today we received a letter informing us that the commencement of this service had been delayed and our booking had been transferred to the Dover-Calais service.  I suppose the truth is that the transfer to Transmanche Ferries has not happened yet! I rang up and cancelled the booking and was promised a full refund.  Checking on the internet the cost of the Dover-Calais crossing is £100 less than what we paid for the Newhaven-Dieppe crossing. I was annoyed that the letter did not ask if we were Ok with the transfer or offer any refund of the difference just an apology for any inconvenience!!

 

Paul

[Musicmonkey<ADDRESS><STRONG>Musicmonkey<STRONG><ADDRESS>]

We had a letter too this week cancelling our Easter booking.  We have decided to go with Speedferries and it was £80 - we had paid £99 for Newhaven Dieppe.  We didn't fancy an 8 am start from Dover!  We have had to change our dates so we are not very happy.

[BJSLIV]

I'm not surprised that Transmanche have dropped the idea of chrtering a Hoverspeed craft. I understood that their new political masters were less than enamoured with the whole idea of being in the ferry business, and had higher priorities on dry land. It will be interesting to see if they complete their orders for their own fast-craft, or just drop the whole idea.

So its Transmanche only for now, but for how long we will have to wait and  see........

[Tom]

According to this recent report,  the current two dilapidated ferries are going to be replaced in the first quarter of 2006.

http://www.drakkaronline.com/Actualite/Detail_Actu.asp?ID_Actu=41661

http://www.drakkaronline.com/Actualite/Detail_Actu.asp?ID_Actu=41640

[BJSLIV]

But given the political hostility to the operation will the new boats ever arrive? Its a Socialist council that is in control now, and it was their predecessors who set up Transmanche. They have  made it clear that they would prefer to spend money on social affairs rather than perpetuating losses on the high seas.