A FERRY route connecting England to France is being scrapped earlier than planned after running for 13 years.
The vital transport link, which has been taking passengers across the channel since 2013, was set to be axed at the end of September.
However, the Brittany Ferries route between Portsmouth and Le Havre in France is being stopped earlier than planned.
The scrapping of the ferry route was initially given the green light due to financial challenges, with September 28 outlined as its final sailing date.
However, the service has been forced to retire early, due to technical issues with the Brittany Ferries Commodore Clipper vessel.
In a statement, the company confirmed that the final voyages would not be made and apologised to passengers.
A Brittany Ferries spokesperson said: “We apologise to all affected customers, and are sorry that the route can’t complete its final sailings; we know many had hoped to be part of them.
“It has been a pleasure for all at Brittany Ferries to link Portsmouth and Le Havre since 2013.”
The statement continued: “The current economic context means the route is no longer viable and, sadly, we have had to make the difficult decision to close it.”
The cuts to various Brittany Ferries routes were announced back in June.
The business explained that it was having to “adapt” and “plan for a secure future” after facing a bill of €27 million in 2026.
Brittany Ferries also confirmed the end of its Poole to Cherbourg service, which will set sail for a final time on October 31.
This particular ferry route has been in operation, in either a passenger or freight capacity, for over 50 years.
The Poole to Cherbourg route is set to be replaced by a daily service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, which will begin in November, as part of a “more efficient” schedule.