Joint Sealink/ Townsend service "premature"
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• Reports that Sealink and Townsend Thoresen are to seek Government permission to offer an integrated crosschannel service which would compete against a fixed link have been described as "premature" by Townsend Thoresen.
Both companies are members of Flexilink-pressure group which opposes the Channel Tunnel and appeared before the Commons select committee this week asking for compensation from the Government if the tunnel goes ahead.
Townsend and Sealink also want to be released from commitments to the Office of Fair Trading which currently prevents ferry companies agreeing on joint prices.
According to Townsend Thoresen the removal of OFT controls would allow the ferry companies to work towards a common pricing policy. It is also due to put two new Ferries into service next year (see Operators Handbook) which could mean a revision in its prices.