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Mobile Roaming Going, Going, Gone
Mobile phone roaming charges are abolished today under the EU legislation ‘'Roam Like At Home'' when using a mobile in certain European countries . Those on contract plans can use their allowance of call minutes, texts and data, paying only when these allowances are exceeded. Consumer groups are advising users to check their plan's allowances and the list of included European countries. . . .15/06/17.

Critical Reception?
The first phase of a new compulsory Air Quality Certificate(Crit'Air)vehicle registration scheme designed to reduce pollution in some French cities has begun with the prospect of it being rolled out across the country. Paris and Grenoble have permanent low emission zones, zone à circulation restreinte (zcr) while Lyon, Grenoble, Lille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Chambery and Marseilles have emergency zones, zone de protection de l'air (zpa) Visitng drivers will be required to display a Crit'Air vignette (disc) in their windscreen upon entering a low emission zone. Failure to comply is subject to a fine of up to €135. Vignettes can be ordered online from the French Government site certificat are for the life of the vehicle and can take up to six weeks. Full implementation of the scheme could see certain types of vignette holder restricted or prohibited from entering the zones in a bid to improve air quality. . . updated 17/06/18.

EU Speeding Fines Can Now Follow You Home
UK drivers who commit speeding offences in mainland EU countries and are not dealt wth by an on the spot fine or a judicial process, will have their penalty fine forwarded to the vehicle's registered keeper via the DVLA from today. Under EU Cross Border Directive 2015/413, the EU transport policy must be adopted by all EU Member States.
Eight specific offences are included in the legislation of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a mandatory signal, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs, using a mobile device at the wheel, using a restricted or reserved lane illegally and for motorcyclists, not wearing a crash helmet. . . 06.05.17.

Brittany Ferries' LNG Powered Future?
Brittany Ferries has signed a letter of intent with German shipyard Flensburger Schiffbau for the construction of a liquefied natural gas powered ferry. LNG is a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels and should the project go ahead, the 185 metre LNG ferry is planned to go into service on the Portsmouth to Caen route and operate alongside the Mont St Michel in 2019. The 1680 passenger vessel will have 257cabins and space for up to 550 cars. . .22.12.16.

DFDS Leading The Way
DFDS has won the title" World's Leading Ferry Operator 2016" for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Industry Awards Ceremony held in the Maldives recently. DFDS which operates channel crossings Newhaven- Dieppe, Dover - Calais and Dover - Dunkirk is also about to celebrate its 150th anniversary. . .12.12.16.

Ferries See French Sea Marshals
Armed French Sea Marshals have begun high visibility patrols on board cross channel passenger ferries this week as an anti-terrorist measure. The armed officers are part of the Marine Gendarmerie and will maintain a programme of random and regular patrols and have the capability of being landed by helicopter while ferries are at sea. . .03.08.16.

DFDS Sees Two Familiar Returnees
DFDS is boosting its Dover to Calais sailings with the return of two newly refurbished ferries, Côte des Dunes(ex Rodin) now in service and sister ship Côte des Flandres(ex Berlioz) due to enter service w/c 22 February. Familiar sights on the route, they will join the Calais Seaways to provide 15 return sailings, Mondays to Fridays, with 13 return sailings on Saturdays and 10 on Sundays. Meanwhile the Dover to Dunkirk route is expected to receive a third ship to increase the number of return sailings. . . 12.02.16.

Eight EU Driving Offences Can Follow You Home(Eventually)
UK drivers who commit traffic offences in EU member states and not dealt with by on the spot fines or a judicial process, will have their penalties forwarded to their home address. Under a new Eu Cross Border Directive 2015/413, the EU transport policy must be adopted by EU Member States by 1 May 2015. However three countries, UK, Ireland and Denmark have a later adoption deadline of 1 May 2017. Eight specific offences are included in the legislation of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a mandatory signal, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs, using a mobile device at the wheel, using a restricted or reserved lane illegally and for motorcyclists, not wearing a crash helmet. . . 04.07.15.

Brittany Ferries to Launch “No Frills” Crossings
Brittany Ferries is to launch économie, its “no frills” crossings between Portsmouth and Le Havre and a weekend return sailing between Portsmouth and Santander. Scheduled to start late March 2014, the no frills approach will use the former DFDS Norman Voyager. Designed as lower cost fare options on travel to France or Spain, they will augment Brittany Ferries’ range which includes cruise-style and premium high speed services. . .07.02.14.

Passport OK But Don’t Forget Your EHIC
Renewing your EHIC(European Health Insurance Card) might get overlooked in the pre- travel arrangements. Ehic entitles UK residents to free or reduced cost medical treatment while temporarily visiting a European Union country and about 3 miliion cards are due for renewal. To apply for or renew your free card simply go to Ehic but remember to allow at least seven days from application. Children should also be included in the application. If travelling outside the Eu, check the website regarding the cover available and remember to make sure you have adequate provision within your travel insurance as the EHIC scheme is not designed to be a substitute. Applying in Ireland: Ehic Separate links for applying and renewing.
Applying In France:Ehic/Cpam Caisses Primaires d'Assurance Maladie. . . 21/05/13.

ECB to Issue New Euro Banknotes
The European Central Bank is to issue a new series of Euro banknotes featuring the goddess Europa. The new notes, the first to be issued since the Euro’s launch on 1 June 1999, are to be phased in starting with the new 5 Euro note. The notes will continue to feature bridges and arches and both issues will circulate in parallel until the ECB announces its intended withdrawal programme. . .10/01/13

New French Motoring Laws for 2012
New laws covering sat navs, breathalyser kits and hi-vis clothing will increasingly apply to motorists and motorcyclists visiting France in 2012.
Sat navs or gps device with speed camera alerts have been banned under French Law since 3 January 2012 as part of a tougher stance on speeding. In addition 400 new fixed cameras are being installed. Motorists are being advised to either disable speed camera alerts or contact their device's manufacturer. Failure to comply could result in a fine up to €1500, confiscation of the device and the vehicle.
Motorists and motorcyclists(not mopeds)must carry disposable single use breathalyser kits from 1 July 2012. They must carry the French NF certification mark and failure to produce will result in a €11 fine when the law is enforced from 11 November 2012. The individual single use breathalyser units normally have a shelf life of 12 months and it is recommended that each driver carries two in case of being stopped. The permitted alcohol level in France is low at just 0.5 g per litre of blood.
Starting 1 January 2013 Motorcyclists and their passengers(over 125cc and tricycles over 15Kw/h) will also be required to wear CE approved hi-vis vests to bring them in line with other motorists. . .13/03/12

LD Launches New Dover Calais Service with DFDS
LD in partnership with DFDS begin the new service on February 17 with an initial one boat service offering five
sailings in each direction. The launch comes in the wake of the sad demise of Seafrance and the new service is
looking to allocate a second vessel to the route in the near future. . .04/02/12

Brittany Ferries' New Bilbao Service Sets Sail
Brittany Ferries' inaugural service to Bilbao begins and marks the company's first new destination for 25 years.
The twice weekly sailings range in duration from 25 -32 hours and will arrive at a brand new port terminal at Zierbena. The route will be served by the recently refurbished, luxury cruise ferry, the Cap Finistère . . .04/04/11

LD Withdraws Dover - Boulogne Service
LD has announced the withdrawal of its Dover - Boulogne service from 5 September 2010 citing ferry overcapacity on the Dover Straits resulting in lower than expected tourist turnover. LD is currently investigating the possibility of running a freight only service on the route. . .24/08/10