News

PLANS FOR PORT EXPANSION

Four new berths and a new marina are planned for Dover in a major re-development of the Western Docks.

Leading consultants are drawing up a long-term strategy for the port and have confirmed the Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal is reaching full capacity with no room for additional berths and little scope for further expansion.

With the main A20 port access road through the town under strain from record levels of freight traffic, the Board says the Western Docks offers a part solution to the town’s road congestion and sufficient ferry capacity for the next few decades.

The Board is already consulting with government and other agencies to create a “buffer zone� to assemble freight vehicles off the A20 between Folkestone and Dover and manage the flow rates through the town and within the port.

“The port must respond positively and act decisively to ensure it has capacity and facilities to meet growing traffic flows and to do it in a way which minimises the impact o­n the town of Dover,â€? says Chief Executive Bob Goldfield.

“With the support of government and other agencies, and the local community, we can build a second ferry terminal and create a system to control the flow of lorry traffic passing through the town and port. It’s a win win opportunity for the town and for the port and we need to push ahead with both initiatives.�