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There are fears for the future of ferry services out of Cherbourg, Lower Normandy  following a  dispute over the proposed closure of one of the ramps  used,  in favour of  a  newly refurbished one. Closure of one ramp would  leave the port with only two remaining ramps.

The ferry companies have objected  to the closure including Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries and Celtic Link.However passenger and car numbers have been falling in recent years to quite a considerable extent and there is a  consequent need for reduction in costs of providing the services at the port.

Representatives at the port have a real concern that some ferry operators may finally cease to operate out of Cherbourg following he reductions in car and passenger numbers  particularly in the last year and what they see as as lack of investment in the ports facilities for cross-channel ships.