SIX council staff will lose their jobs over the next few months as operations wind down at Weymouth port in the wake of Condor Ferries leaving.

Port operatives who provide round-the-clock security cover will be made redundant after the ‘restricted area’ is declassified on March 25, the day after Condor ceases sailings between Weymouth and the Channel Islands.

The company is to operate a single ferry with a larger vessel from Poole.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council cannot afford to make harbour improvements to accommodate the new ferry. It also has had no luck tempting other ferry companies to the resort.

The future of Weymouth port post-Condor is outlined in a report which went before the council’s Harbour Board yesterday, written by Harbour Master Keith Howorth.

It says there is a need to ‘redefine’ the use of the port and make savings due to Condor pulling out.

The report says although Condor will stop sailing from Weymouth, the company will continue to use its call centre on the first floor of the terminal building and also use a car park for staff up until March 2016.

Mr Howorth told members: “The proposals are that on March 25 the restricted area is to be declassified with immediate effect.

“This is probably a no turning back position for ferry operations in Weymouth.”

Mr Howorth said the restricted area would not be immediately available to the public.

Dr Neil Humphries, a co-opted independent member of the board, said: “As difficult as it is and as sad as it is we’ve got to deal with it.”

The two vessels (Condor Vitesse and Condor Express), which are being replaced and are expected to be sold, will probably stay in Weymouth until someone buys them.

Three port staff will lose their jobs in March and the remaining three will be kept on until September to help with the transition as the restricted area is cleaned up.

The report says more than £170,000 will be saved in 2015/16 through measures including a reduction in staff and energy costs. The long-term shape of the harbour and port is to be co-ordinated with the Town Plan.

All members agreed to the officer’s recommendations, except Cllr Paul Kimber, who disagreed with the recommendation to reduce the number of port operatives.