Ferry firm makes UK service plans

The HD1 has a normal service speed of about 40 knots

A Channel Islands ferry company is pushing ahead with plans to introduce a service from the islands to the UK.

HD Ferries was due to restart its sailings to France in March and has now said it is accelerating plans to extend its services to the British mainland.

It follows speculation that rival Condor Ferries is for sale by its owner, the Royal Bank of Scotland. Condor has not commented.

HD boss Chris Howe Davis said a genuine alternative to Condor was necessary.

'Essential route'

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that the Royal Bank of Scotland was selling Condor.

HD said discussions would take place in the next few weeks with the various parties involved and local authorities.

Chris Howe Davis said the Condor announcement had caused uncertainty to some island links and HD was working towards ensuring customers were not left without a service on an essential route.

He said: "It has always been our desire to extend our low fares service from Jersey and Guernsey to the UK, and so it would obviously be to the benefit of customers if there was a genuine alternative to the existing arrangement sooner rather than later."

HD resumes its services between Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo in France on 20 March.

Its ship HD1 has a normal service speed of about 40 knots.