CONDOR Ferries has vowed to return to Weymouth and make the town the ‘gateway’ to the Channel Islands.

The service will resume in March providing the council manages to complete the works to repair the harbour wall on time and sort out traffic issues.

The ferry service that runs from Weymouth harbour to the Channel Islands was moved to Poole in February after huge cracks appeared in the wall and ground around the berth.

The borough council is currently in talks with Condor about the harbour wall and about further enhancing the port facilities and has set aside £2million for the work.

Group Director of the Passenger Division of Condor Ferries, Ken Soar, sent out the strong message that the company wanted to return to Weymouth during a visit to the Channel Islands by the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce.

He said the company saw the town as ‘the gateway to the Channel Islands’.

He said: “We are pleased that the Chamber of Commerce and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council echo our aim and recognise the importance of Weymouth as the gateway to the Channel Islands.

“We welcome the borough council’s proposal to start works this month and to make funding for the repairs to the quay wall a priority.

“It is our intention to return to operating regular sailings from Weymouth in time for next summer’s season, once the works have been completed.”

He added that over the last year Condor Ferries had raised concerns with the borough council over passenger facilities and transport links.

He said: “We are continuing to liaise closely with all parties and are pleased that these areas are now being given thorough consideration, as part of the wider redevelopment of the port.”

The issue of the works needed to entice Condor back will be discussed by councillors at a management committee meeting next Wednesday.

Borough council spokesman for Environment and Sustainability, councillor Ian Roebuck, said they were currently working with contractors to get Condor back by 2013.

He said: “It is a priority that the engineering work happens as quickly as possible and the borough council is looking to set aside £2million for the advanced works and major repair scheme with a view to Condor returning to Weymouth next March.

“We are also working closely with Condor to prepare a plan to enhance the ferry port facilities at Weymouth and secure its future for the long term.”

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce President Anna-Maria Geare said the announcement was exciting and said it was now down to the elected representatives to make it happen. She said: “The news that Condor is very positive towards Weymouth is very exciting.”