Ferry firm plans port makeover

Transmanche Ferries has committed to spending up to 1 million on modernising the port and terminal building to make it more welcoming to passengers travelling between Newhaven and Dieppe.

James Howe Davies, marketing director of Transmanche UK, said the idea was to create a general facelift for the area, including a change in road layout.

Terminal A freight lounge, including showers, toilets, an outside smoking area and a cafe serving hot food for lorry drivers travelling to and from France is among the first phase.

The official opening will take place on January 14.

Another part of the project has been to close the former foot passenger terminal in December and direct car and foot passengers through what was the car terminal.

The terminal will now be revamped with two check-in desks and a passenger cafe, The Haven Cafe, which is set to be ready next month.

Mr Howe Davies said: 'We have committed to spending half a million to a million pounds over the next two years. 'There are a number of things we are doing.

'We are, over time, going to change the road layout of the port just to allow better access and use of space, both for passengers and freight.

'Another thing we have done is to install a new weighbridge. We have always had a weighbridge to weigh freight as it comes in, and that has been relocated to change the flow of traffic.

'The freight drivers' lounge is opening on Monday and that looks a lot better. 'When Louis Dreyfus took over the ferry at Newhaven port in March it was a pretty horrible place to go and a number of freight drivers wouldn't even go in there.

'That is now completely re-done.

'It is basically a general facelift to the whole area.'