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Sid, I think I hit a point in my representation to London, as there are binding laws in Parliament concerning carbon emmissions. The whole theme with Dover Port expansion has nothing to do with creating new jobs, this subject not being part either of DHB's nor gov.'s declared intentions. It has to do with port expansion so as to double port traffic by way of cars and heavy freight vehicles over the next 30 years! In my representation to London I mentioned various points, all of which have been expressly acknowledged in the reply I received and will be furthered on to the Secretary of State for consideration, or may-be already have been by now.
As to port expansion, I proposed that if it is required of Dover to accept further freight and to channel it through Western Docks, then that this be done by rail, by bringing back the rail link, as the railway passes right close to the Western Docks. I proposed a kind of rail-carriage that has a low chassis and can carry lories under the tunnel, or, the use of freight containers that can be unloaded from ships and stored at Western Docks and subsequently loaded onto rail-carriages, and vice versa. Both of these technicle possibilities are already existing and in use in the world, neither are a novelty, and both could be appled to western Docks!
The creation of jobs as a result of port expansion and operation is a forgone conclusion, Sid! However it was not the object of DHB's initial plans, which was port expansion so as to double the Port-traffic within thirty years.
My point was, that this would imply doubling carbon emmissions, and therefore a rail link would be within reasonable acceptance to prevent this, however not by privatising the port, as people using it for freight should also pay for the Port-service, hence Dover should do well from it, as would Kent as County and the national Treasury. Therefore, why should we sell our Port when it would bring in good revenues? Would you sell an insurance that earns you ten thousand pounds a year, Sid, for a one time payment of five thousand pounds? I don't don't think you would!