Major £128 million upgrade to St Malo Naye ferry terminal approved after years of consultation
An artist's impression of the new plans. Video from Ports de la Region Bretagne, picture credit: AREP/Myluckypixel
The port of St Malo in France is set to get a major upgrade after £128 million/€150 million plans to redevelop the ferry terminal were given the go ahead.
Officials in Brittany says modernising the area is "crucial" as the current site reaches the end of its working life in terms of capacity, comfort and ageing equipment.
The new development will provide space for up to 750,000 passengers each year with frequent Condor and Brittany Ferry sailings bringing visitors from Jersey, Guernsey, Portsmouth and Poole.
The substantial works include widening and deepening part of the harbour so it is less dependent on tides, reconstructing the area so it can welcome larger ships up to 130 metres in length and creating a new terminal building.
Officials also want to improve the experience for foot passengers including better pedestrian and cycle links between the port and the nearby Intra-Muros old town.
However, local heritage campaigners continue to criticise the project and its close proximity to listed structures, telling French media outlet Ouest France that they will file an appeal against the building permit as the new terminal "has no reason to exist".
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...