Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
12 November 2009
09:0032873CALAIS PORT EXPANSION SUPPORTED
In the spirit of cross channel partnership working between Local Authorities, working together for regeneration and the growth of economies for the benefit of everyone, the Leader of DDC is supporting plans for the major expansion of the Port of Calais.
Representatives from Dover District Council attended a special public meeting in Calais on Thursday (5 November) to discuss the Calais Port 2015 project. The Leader of DDC attended and spoke in support of the project as a major complementary development, which will assist emerging plans for the massive expansion at the Port of Dover.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of DDC said: "The Port of Dover and the Port of Calais are the leaders in their field and synonymous with cross-channel roll-on roll-off traffic. In the face of an ever-expanding international market, if one is to grow, the other needs to keep pace if balance is to be maintained. As major plans for the Port of Dover move forward, along with a range of regeneration projects for the area, we are very pleased to support proposals for Calais. It is crucial for the economy of the UK and Europe that both the Port of Dover and the Port of Calais are able to gear-up to accommodate future growth. We therefore look forward to continuing to work closely and develop stronger and mutually beneficial relationships with our cross-channel partners, for the future benefit and growth of the ports and both areas and their communities."
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
12 November 2009
12:1032885Is this for the growth of passengers, or more lorries on our roads?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
12 November 2009
13:0432887Admirable as it sounds just what is there in it for Dovorians?.Yes it would improve DHB's profits and turnover but that would mean an increase in its high yielding frieght business and as Colin as so rightly mentioned more lorries gridlocking Dover more often. I would personally prefer to see Boulogne developed but thats based on bias and pure sentimental reasons not business logic or potential.
How about DHB throwing more into the community pot.Supporting more local charities,lowering its rents on places like the Yacht Club etc thus making them more affordable and sustainable.There is plenty they could do to support Dover and don't so why should we support them.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
12 November 2009
13:1232889Never thought about it till Marek`s comment above, what does DHB put into the town, and exactly what do they own?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
12 November 2009
16:5232897From Marek: "Admirable as it sounds just what is there in it for Dovorians?.Yes it would improve DHB's profits and turnover but that would mean an increase in its high yielding frieght business and as Colin as so rightly mentioned more lorries gridlocking Dover more often. I would personally prefer to see Boulogne developed but that's based on bias and pure sentimental reasons not business logic or potential.
"How about DHB throwing more into the community pot.Supporting more local charities,lowering its rents on places like the Yacht Club etc thus making them more affordable and sustainable.There is plenty they could do to support Dover and don't so why should we support them."
Spot-on, as usual Marek. Totally agree. However, the Boulogne link should be nurtured more, ahead of the sacred cow that is Calais.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
12 November 2009
16:5932899boulogne needs better service roads to compeat with calias other wise it will choke and die.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
12 November 2009
17:2932906The road network in and around Boulogne has been upgraded and improved Brian.
Roger
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
12 November 2009
17:4532910by how much and when.i went there 4 years ago,it was gridlocked then.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 November 2009
17:5732915calais is a deep water port, i think that boulogne is not, therefore unable to take too many larger vessels.
our shipping guru ed connell will correct me if i am wrong.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
12 November 2009
18:0532916I don't see the need for any further expansion in Calais. They have 5 operational berths which seems to cope well enough. The on-site facilites could be improved I suppose - they don't have the shops that we have in the port in Dover.
Any expansion of the Seafrance or P&O fleet might well entail an increase in freight traffic, though that may well increase anyway as it has continued to do for a number of years. DHB are improving things within Dover Eastern Docks but that work (resurfacing at weighbridge) is adding to the problem of gridlock at the moment. The new exit road seems to be working well though.
The one real improvement in Calais would be stopping the blockading of the port every time there is a strike of some sort. That seems to do more damage over here than it does over there.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
13 November 2009
10:0732979Andy yes the Boulogne link should be encouraged and hopefully will be widely used. Having the seacat running there was a terrific incentive for visitors to have a day out so its withdrawal does reduce the novelty factor of a trip there. Boulogne is probably like Ramsgate in our terms, perhaps nice to take a trip from there but no doubt Dover is the main player..as is Calais over there. Calais is a serious weighty port with a considerable eye on the future. Best if Dover keeps in harmony with that development although it may mean indeed, as Colin says, more trucks on our roads. Our trading with the EU isnt diminishing any time soon...so its all growth.
Phil yes the new exit road is working well up to a point. But there is a probelem which has been highlighted recently by Nigel Collor to the Highways Agency. Its a problem for locals. Local drivers can not turn left onto the seafront. Come down Jubilee Way, turn left along the front, and if there is a big load of trucks exiting the new Exit Road, now called Olympic Way I beleive, then you cant turn left to get to the beach, to the seafront, even to the Gateway.. heaven forbid!. Its impossibly dangerous. But apart from that...
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
13 November 2009
12:2432982Hi Paul,
Yes, I noticed how incredibly dangerous that new slip road is the other day if you want to get onto the seafront past Millers, with those lorries in the seaward (left) lane coming out of the Eastern Docks.
I dread to think what could happen.
Andy
(PS: I won't call 'Millers' 'Marine Court' on principle, for what it's worth (get me, eh!) - in homage to the lovely art deco building that used to be there, but was of course flattened to make way for the current carbuncle)
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
13 November 2009
21:0133026I nearly came a cropper there a few days ago trying to enter the slip road onto the seafront, it's mindblowingly dangerous, Bonkers if you ask me
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
14 November 2009
08:5333040Although we are slightly veering off track here this new road situation is quite an issue...even Nigel Collor as we said has been on the case. Here is a picture showing how bad it can be, had intended to get this one on the frontpage but that page has been inundated recently, but now that the opportunity has cropped up here...well here we go.
Imagine if you will that you are the driver of that approaching silver car and you want to go left onto the seafront in the next 100 yards! Its not do-able without risking life and limb. This layout will sooner or later cause a nasty accident...but I suspect this problem didnt occur to the planners.
Although to be fair here..there used to be a lot of skirmish, squashing type accidents, as trucks and cars left the docks through the old route, as they blended into the traffic coming from Jubilee Way. These have diminished or almost disappeared. I know this as a casual observer as I used to see these type of accidents regularly. So some good news but laced with a bad problem.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
14 November 2009
09:3133044I think i go wih MAREK on this.
I appluad closer links with Calais, but the increase in lorry traffic and the problems here in Dover already needs sorting before any support for expansion.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
14 November 2009
09:5133050Oh my giddy aunt!! Great photo if thats the right phrase maybe scary would be better terminology.Afore we moved I used to frequent the seafront most mornings with my daughter.She would ride and fall off her bike and I would read any old newspaper and stare out into the channel daydreaming before gathering my senses and taking NT to school.We used to join the carriageway at that junction then turn right at the Sports Centre and up Castle Hill.It was scary then as the ferries disgorged their tired long distance lorry drivers onto the 'wrong' side of the road but now it looks terrifying.
And to think DHB want to expand...and increase the traffic and cut off the town from its beautiful unspoilt Victorian Seafront..."On yer bike"
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
14 November 2009
12:2633071To be fair to DHB the expansion being proposed is at the Western Docks which would mean freight from there would exit straight on to the A20 and out of town, without clogging Townwall Street. Of course there needs to be adequate signage on the M20 etc. and dualing of the A2 so as to ensure that Eastern & Western Dock traffic are appropriately separated well outside Dover and routed via the most appropriate route to the docks.
It is also interesting to see the recent press reports about the planning appeal against the proposed new mega railfreight interchange at Bearstead. This is exactly the sort of thing that should be situated as close to Dover as is reasonably possible so as to generate jobs etc.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
14 November 2009
17:3733109good idea in theroy,but in realalaty wont happen.
