THERE has been a ferry service linking Newhaven and Dieppe since 1847. There may not be for much longer.

The loss-making line has been given a reprieve by the French authorities for another year. But the future after that is uncertain to say the least.

Before the Newhaven link was established, people wishing to visit France from Sussex had to use the beach at Brighton and then the Chain Pier.

Bigger ships could use the harbour at Newhaven and it also had an advantage over Shoreham in not being tidal.

The service ran profitably for the best part of a century but the Second World War and a slow loss of freight traffic started a decline.

It passed from private into public ownership, being run by a curious combination of French and British railways.

The line lost a huge amount of money but provided a good service. For many years there were three ferries, two French and one British.

Newhaven managed to cope with the growing number of cars using the service while continuing to serve rail passengers with a boat train. But when the service reverted to private enterprise, troubles began to mount along with the losses. The opening of the Channel Tunnel in the 1990s provided fierce competition.

Vomit Comet A fast ferry was introduced, halving the journey time to a couple of hours. But it could not sail in rough seas and its motion was so unpleasant that it was nicknamed the ‘Vomit Comet’.

For a short time after it was withdrawn, there was no service between Newhaven and Dieppe. But the French stepped in and provided a new ferry.

They pay the enormous subsidy of about £20 million a year because nine out of ten passengers are British.

Some of them stop in Dieppe, easily the most charming of the French Channel ports, but even those driving on to warmer parts of France tend to spend something on the way.

However, the number of passengers has dropped considerably since its post-war peak and the winter sailings are largely subsidised by freight.

There is no doubt that many people in East Sussex now use the Channel Tunnel in preference to Newhaven-Dieppe.

It provides a frequent year-round service unaffected by stormy seas. But the Newhaven service is still a possible proposition for people living in central Sussex where most of the largest towns are.

It is also on the shortest route between London and Paris. It is handy for reaching Rouen, the ancient and attractive capital of Normandy.

What the line does not do is provide a welcome journey for passengers. There used to be a good restaurant on all the ships where you could pass a pleasant hour or two. The current standard of catering is abysmal.

Ferries do not travel at convenient times for most people and it is now impossible to take a day trip to Dieppe.

The ferry terminal at Newhaven is primitive. Embarkation is awkward for foot passengers and slow for drivers.

At Dieppe, the purpose-built passenger terminal is not in use and people have to use an awkward bus service. The modern port is not nearly as well placed for passengers as the old one in the heart of town.

There should be a better flow of tourists from France into England, with Brighton and much of Sussex within easy reach.

But Newhaven has a pathetic shopping centre and little to detain the visitor for long.

Over the years attractions have been provided such as Paradise Park and Newhaven Fort. There is some pleasing-looking development on the western side of the river.

Every time I write about Newhaven I am told that major schemes for renovation are just around the corner. But none of the schemes, each involving a major supermarket as the money generator, has been built and, in any case, superstores are not the cash cows they once were.

Newhaven would really miss the ferry service if it closed. It is the main industry of the town and hundreds of jobs are directly or indirectly reliant on it.

Without it, there would be little commercial shipping and its departure could also put the little railway line from Lewes to Seaford at risk of closure.

Closure would also lead to long diversions by many Sussex people wishing to visit France, using either Dover or Portsmouth. It would be particularly difficult for the hundreds of Brits who have set up home in Dieppe and the surrounding countryside.

I am surprised the ferry link has lasted so long with its many disadvantages – but we should cherish it while we can.