MORE than 25,000 bookings have been made for travel on cross-Channel ferries out of Weymouth this summer.

Condor Ferries is set to start sailing from the town again in three months’ time after more than a year’s absence due to a dilapidated ferry berth.

The target date for start of sailings is July 17, provided work is completed at the quay.

Condor, which switched sailings to Poole last year, is Weymouth port’s biggest customer and contributes more than £7.7million a year to the local economy.

Chief executive of Condor Ferries James Fulford said tickets can be booked for travel from Weymouth on all routes to the Channel Islands and St Malo.

Many passengers have already signed up to travel on the ferry with the company reporting more than 25,000 bookings.

Dave Price of the Weymouth Hoteliers Guesthouses and Leaseholders Association said it was ‘fantastic’ news that Condor was coming back and that so many people were booking up.

He said: “We have really felt the loss of Condor, especially during the winter months.

“We’re looking forward to it coming back although it’s a great shame that we won’t have a tourist information centre in town this summer which was the first port of call for many customers.”

Martin James of Kelston guesthouse said he had lost £3,000-£4,000 due to Condor not being in Weymouth.

“We absolutely welcome them back and we hope they will stay in the future,” he said.

Work worth £3.9million to fix berth number three ordered by the borough council is progressing, and contractors have now started working on Sundays to ensure it is finished in time.

Behind the scenes, officials have been working on new berthing and property agreements covering the next three to five years.

Priority work agreed by the council and Condor includes the repair of the link span (bridge) estimated to cost £172,000. It has also been agreed that another ferry terminal building, part of which is used by Condor for reservations and bookings, will be used as the new departures hall as the old one is no longer fit for purpose.

A council report says Condor is prepared to fund and manage works to the ferry terminal building, which will be suitable for two sailings per day.

Council leisure and tourism manager Nick Thornley says in the report: “Positive discussions have been held between directors at the council and senior Condor representatives including new CEO James Fulford and Captain Fran Collins.

“These aim to ensure that formal contracts and leases are in place to support the ferry operation for the next three to five years, with ongoing payments linked to the level of investment each party is currently making.”

Piling operations are continuing and difficulties with getting the old piles out have changed the sequencing of the programme – although repairs are still on track to be completed in time, says the council. Working hours at the ferry terminal have been extended to include Sundays to ‘reduce the risk of overrunning.’ Head of infrastructure at the borough council Ben Murray said: “Piling operations continue with the installation of both the steel tubular and sheet piles taking place at the same time. These work elements are progressing well and are 70 per cent complete.

“Preliminary marine works have started and the main components of the scour mattress will be installed upon completion of the piling activities.”