Approving the £400 million scheme will, when market conditions require its construction, effectively double the capacity of Dover’s ferry port. The decision is a clear sign that the Government expects traffic through this key gateway to increase substantially beyond the current recession.
This is also fantastic news for the town of Dover as it allows the related waterfront enabling works that are the necessary pre-cursor to the regeneration of this part of Dover, a development described locally as the catalyst for Dover’s renaissance, to be delivered in advance of Terminal 2.
Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “This is a great day for the Port and its long term future, for our local community and for the long-term resilience of the UK economy, all of which have been at the forefront of our minds during the development of this scheme.”
The Government’s announcement that Terminal 2 can be built is further testament to the exceptional lengths to which Dover Harbour Board has gone in order to consult and engage with its customers, stakeholders and the local community. The few holding objections submitted were removed earlier this year following further positive engagement with the respective bodies and so Terminal 2 was unopposed when the Secretary of State made the decision to approve the scheme.
Director of Port Development, Mike Krayenbrink, who managed the master planning process added: “The scale and detail of consultation that has been undertaken at all levels over the past few years has been unprecedented. It is a clear indication of how seriously we take our responsibility to develop the Port both as a national asset and as a key part of the local community.
Terminal 2 will be the single biggest development ever to be undertaken by Dover Harbour Board and will become the second biggest ferry terminal in the UK after Dover’s existing ferry terminal in the Eastern Docks.
Bob Goldfield concluded: “This decision should give confidence that good things are now starting to happen for Dover and that the team at the Port is determined to play a big part in ensuring the future growth and prosperity of both Port and town together.”