BATHSIDE BAY GETS PROVISIONAL APPROVAL

On 21 December 2005 the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Transport issued 'minded to approve' letters in respect of the above container port proposal.

The £300 million container terminal scheme will make Harwich potentially the second largest container port in the UK, almost doubling the total quay lenght to 3,000 metres, and enabling the Port to handle up to four deep-sea container vessels simultaneously.

The features of Harwich International Container Terminal will include:

• 1,400 metres of quayside
• depth of 15 metres alongside the quay
• approach channel of 14.5 metres
• 11 Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes
• 44 Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes
• storage yard capacity of 52,000 TEUs
• rail terminal capacity of 462,000 TEUs per annum

It will also lead to the creation of some 772 direct jobs and many thousands more are expected to be created in businesses connected to the port's activities and also in new inward investments by companies seeking to be close to the major port facility.

The Government has requested responses on four matters prior to issuing a formal decision:-

• Issues relating to "Biodiversity and Geological Conservation".
• A revision to a proposed Sound Insulation Grant Scheme.
• A revised condition requiring the road improvements to be agreed and contracts let prior to the main development commencing.
• Certain changes to the General Development Powers of Harwich International Port

For further information please use the following link:-

Development proposals - www.hipct.co.uk/content/thescheme/uktrade.asp