A NEW high-speed passenger ferry service to France could be up and running from Weymouth Harbour next year in a move that will create 90 jobs.

HighSpeedFerries.com is in discussion with the borough council to operate from the town.

Condor Ferries’ service moves to Poole next month.

HighSpeedFerries plans to run two or three regular sailings a day in season from Weymouth to Cherbourg. The journey would take less than two hours port-to-port.

“This is a real opportunity for Weymouth,” said HighSpeedFerries’ director of corporate services Jonathan Packer.

“Our proposal would create 90 jobs and a considerable financial contribution including incoming tourism to the local economy as well as retaining Weymouth’s ferry terminal.

“Weymouth is absolutely ideal following the upgrading of the ferry terminal in 2013 and it’s right that the town should see a return on the investment in improving those facilities,” Mr Packer added.

“This attractive new service would serve the wider western region market and bring new visitors to South Dorset. It would be the shortest crossing ever on the Western Channel – the terminal-to-terminal time will be comparable with Dover-Calais and there would be a huge road distance and time saving for travellers between the West of England and Western France, compared with routing via Calais.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillors are due to discuss the option of closing Weymouth’s ferry terminal in a full council meeting on Thursday.

HighSpeedFerries hopes that members will agree to defer the decision for up to six months while the company completes its preparations.

Colin Huckle, the borough council spokesman for finance and assets, said:

“The council has been working hard to maximise the potential of its assets and activities to support the local economy and this includes exploring opportunities for future ferry operations from Weymouth Harbour. I can now confirm that we are in commercial negotiations with the potential operator of a high speed ferry service to France.

“If agreed this could see a service start in the autumn leading to a full service being in place for the 2016 season, providing a positive impact for the local economy and boosting the council’s harbour income.

“Negotiations are continuing and we will assess any business case in the context of the strategic impact on other development opportunities, such as our evolving town centre masterplan.

“This reflects that businesses see Weymouth as a positive place to invest and develop business, and supports the council’s corporate priority of boosting economic growth.”