COUNCILLORS will be asked to back proposals that could see a new cross-Channel ferry service from Weymouth move a step closer.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee will be asked to adopt a number of measures to support plans for operator High Speed Ferries to launch twice-daily crossings to Cherbourg from April next year.

Negotiations are continuing between the council and the ferry operator, which expects the new service will create around 90 jobs.

The management committee will consider a series of recommendations from the council’s Harbour Management Board.

These include retaining the restricted area at Weymouth port for a ferry service and keeping on staff until March 31 next year.

It will also be asked to sign off approval for the operating agreement for the service and approve a number of commitments put forward by the Harbour Master in support of the proposed ferry service.

Councillors will consider an update from the Harbour Management Board, which states: “A layout for the port was close to being agreed with the Border Force and staff had addressed matters such as planning issues and advertising consents to overcome these hurdles in advance of operations commencing.

“High Speed Ferries were looking to lease a ship for this operation and are in discussion with a number of organisations.

“Members heard that no costs had been incurred by the council to date, other than staff time.”

The proposals being put forward for the ferry service include a three-year contract from April 1, 2016 that will see twice-daily summer crossings to Cherbourg and a lighter winter service.

It is estimated that the services will carry around 266,000 passengers a year and 91,000 cars.

At the meeting of the Harbour Management Board chairman Colin Huckle said they remained “very positive” about the prospect of the new ferry service.

He added: “We remain cautiously optimistic about the new service which would provide a welcome economic boost; bringing jobs and visitors to enjoy our wonderful area.”

The new service would provide a welcome boost to the town following the departure of Condor Ferries, which relocated its services to France and the Channel Islands to Poole earlier this year as Weymouth was unable to accommodate its new, larger vessel.