19 March 2009Latest Hot Release....
LD LINES WITHDRAWS SEAFRANCE BID
After several months of discussion, at the request of SNCF, concerning the acquisition of a majority stake in SeaFrance by LD Lines, the uncertainty as to the real intentions of the seller has prompted LD Lines to withdraw its offer : the short time frame necessary to complete such an operation is no longer achievable.
The indication transmitted to the shareholder of SeaFrance on 15th December 2008, later confirmed by a binding offer on 23rd February 2009, proposed the creation of a "Large SeaFrance", combining the existing ferry services of SeaFrance with LD Lines, the head-office of which would have been installed in Calais.
This newly-formed group would have operated under the SeaFrance name, creating an undeniable leader of the Channel market, able to face the current economic difficulties, to ensure its development and to safeguard several hundreds of jobs threatened by the social plan under consideration by the Management of the company. This true industrial project, in LD Lines' view, was a guarantee for the future of the company and for the employment in the Nord / Pas de Calais region.
The success of this project required obviously the support and agreement of all stakeholders concerned. However, the opposition of the Unions, who expressed fierce objections without even knowing or asking to know the content of LD Lines' offer, has contributed to give the project an unrealistic impression.
Consequently, LD Lines has informed the management of SNCF of this decision to terminate negotiations.
LD Lines deeply regrets that its industrial project could not be implemented within the required time frame. However, the company sincerely hopes that SNCF will find a suitable solution to ensure the future of SeaFrance, a leading French shipping company, as well as to safeguard the largest possible number of jobs.LD Lines wishes to thank all those involved who have worked and supported the company in this project.
PRIVATISATION OF DOVER’S CUSTOMS SITE HALTED
“Out-sourcing plans dead in the water” says MP.
Following a concerted campaign by Dover’s MP, Gwyn Prosser, local employees, and the PCS union – bosses at Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have suspended all their plans to privatise the security functions of their major compound at Priory Court in Dover.
Gwyn Prosser said:
“This is great news and it will come as a real relief to the all those hard working security people at Priory Court who have been worrying about their futures for the last two years.
During the campaign of opposition I have made numerous visits to the site, I’ve had meetings with the security guards and their PCS representatives and I’ve been in prolonged correspondence with Ministers.
“I managed to secure a meeting with the Government’s Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms MP, and on Monday (9/3/09) the PCS representative and I put our concerns to Mr Timms and his Officials in the Treasury.
“On Wednesday (11/3/09) I raised the issue again in front of the Minister during a Westminster Hall debate (see attached) and on Thursday the HMRC announced they were suspending their privatisation plans. In my view this means they have heeded our very real concerns about the need to retaining top-notch in-house security and I believe their proposals to outsource are now dead in the water.”
Woman of the Moment
the sometimes controversial Councillor Sue Nicholas,
awards £1million contract to
local company...
..on behalf of DDC
We have touched on this in the Members Club briefly but now here with accompanying photograph are the details again from DDC.
Dover District Council has awarded the contract for maintenance of windows and doors for the Council’s housing stock to local company Prima Service Ltd. The contract is for the next five years, and is worth almost a million pounds to the Nonington-based firm.
Cllr Mrs Sue Nicholas, DDC Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing, Local Authority Housing, Landlord Policy and Tenant Affairs, said: “This is a significant contract and we are delighted to be able to renew our contract with Prima Service Ltd, and to continue to support a local company and local jobs in the current economic
Picture Details:Left to right are: Phil Quirk, DDC Building Surveyor; Henry Williams and Wendy Carn from Prima Service Ltd; and Cllr Mrs Sue Nicholas, DDC Cabinet Member.
Easter & Spring Breaks with LD.
Following ferry operator LD Lines' introduction of two new services from Dover to Boulogne and Dover to Dieppe last month, the company has announced special offers for the fast approaching Easter and Spring periods on all its cross channel routes, including Newhaven - Dieppe and Portsmouth - Le Havre.
Available as a short break offer (enabling one night in France) excursion fares are :
Dover - Boulogne from £28 return for a car and four passengers.
Dover - Dieppe from £40 return for a car and two passengers.
For cross channel visitors preferring to take a longer break during the Easter Holidays and Spring period, 5 day return excursions start from :
Dover - Boulogne from £45 return for car and four passengers ;
Dover - Dieppe from £55 return for car and two passengers.
All short break and 5 day return excursion fares are valid for travel between March and June 2009, including the Easter Holidays (subject to availability). Book via www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.
It is hoped that LD Lines will be able to take foot passengers by Easter. Good news for enthusiasts.
But an announcement confirming this will be made nearer the time. Work is in progress.
Pictures by Ed Connell :
Many thanks to top forumite Ed for the pictures. They give a different view of proceedings as it were. That's a fascinating one below, with the great sweep of Shakespeare Cliff as a backdrop and the A20 climbing and climbing into the distance. You dont quite realise while on that road just how high it climbs.
Leave your comment below on any topic. - PB
