Passengers set to benefit from £235k Port of Larne upgrade

Ferry passengers are set to reap the benefits of a £235,000 refurbishment of the facilities at the Port of Larne.
The Port of Larne.  INLT 10-675-CONThe Port of Larne.  INLT 10-675-CON
The Port of Larne. INLT 10-675-CON

The works, which are due to be completed by late spring, will improve passenger facilities at the port, including the car compound area and the terminal.

A P&O Ferries spokesperson said: “The refurbishment, worth around £235,000 has already improved the customer experience and accessibility from passenger vehicles to the terminal.

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“Specifically, customers now park alongside the café and terminal facilities and are also enjoying faster boarding following recent changes to operating procedures.

“We are also looking at further refurbishment inside our terminal to coincide with the improvements to our passenger facilities at Cairnryan including the opening of a coffee shop.

“We hope the refurbishment should be completed by late spring.”

The move has been welcomed by East Antrim MLA Oliver McMullan, who had previously expressed concerns over the future of the port.

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The Sinn Fein representative told the Times: “Just over a year ago, we were hearing about the falling passenger and freight numbers at the Port of Larne.

“This coupled with the fact that Larne recently lost its position as Northern Ireland’s second-biggest freight port to Warrenpoint, gave me cause for concern.

“That is why I am glad to see this investment to upgrade passenger facilities at the port.

“I recently met with the new general manager of Larne Harbour Ltd, Roger Armson recently to discuss the future of the port, and was pleased to hear that P&O are committed to Larne harbour both in terms of improving passenger numbers and increasing road freight.”

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Mr McMullan added that the dualling of the A8 road between Larne and Belfast would be “a major factor in ensuring the future success of the port”.

The port offers a service for foot passengers on the Cairnryan and Troon routes, with up to 20 arrivals and departures daily.

It has also provided a freight service to Cairnryan for over 30 years since July 1973.

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