P&O to cut 43 Port of Dover jobs

P&O Ferries said customers would benefit from the planned changes

More than 40 jobs are to go at the Port of Dover if new plans get the go-ahead, it has been announced.

P&O Ferries said it was consulting its workforce over new staffing and rota arrangements for its operation in Dover Eastern Docks.

The firm said the new plans would more accurately match workforce numbers to passenger and vehicle levels.

About 43 full-time jobs from a total of 170 are expected to be lost from April if the proposals go ahead.

'Regret proposed loss'

Sue Mackenzie, P&O Ferries Short Sea and Western Channel area manager, said: "These proposals reflect the changing nature of our business, in particular the future growth in freight volumes around periods of peak demand.

"Customers will benefit from shorter check-in times and less waiting in the port if we can roster more staff during peak periods.

"We very much regret the proposed loss of jobs and we are briefing our staff and consulting with their representatives very carefully because we need their support."

The firm said nothing was a forgone conclusion but it hoped volunteers would be attracted by the "generous" redundancy arrangements.