howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2011
16:2390536#1
walking past this afternoon i was quite struck by how busy it was, i thought that the winter months would see it very quiet.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
28 January 2011
16:5290537#2
Aah lovely pictures there Howard, capturing the soft winter light very well. Yes the marina looks busy but whether the owners just store the boats there for the winter I dont know as there never seems to be many people about. In the background you can see Snargate St which always looks one step away from deep sadness. It cant seem to sustain life despite being right on the harbour.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2011
16:5990538#3
This is where the money is for Dover, all it needs is to be alot bigger. I said this years ago and still saying it we do not make any money as atown from the ferrys,it is the Mariner that is the money winner
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
28 January 2011
17:1290540#4
The harbour at Ramsgate is very successful, it seems to thrive. But the advantage there is that the town is built right around the harbour..all the cafes and retaurants are at harbourside and it feels really good. Loads of people sitting out dining al fresco and spending lots of happiness money. Ive done it myself there..it feels good!
Sadly that wont happen here...there was talk one time of a development just behind where Howard would have been standing taking the pictures. But it all went quiet...and then the hovercraft closed down and the busy docks and shops that served it. Deadly quiet up there at night now.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2011
17:2790542#5
ramsgate seafront is indeed top class, a rare example of cafe culture over here.
paul, you mention snargate street, there are surprisingly few empty units there, the flagship has been closed for some time though.
plenty of shops catering for anglers and marina users, the american style diner was all kitted out but closed, which seems strange for 2.15 p.m.
i saw a few people enter the marina and a few of the boats had people on them seemingly carrying out minor repairs.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
28 January 2011
19:2990561#6
The marina is indeed a real asset for Dover, and ripe for further development. Visiting boat owners in the summer season will look for a wide variety of facilities, including restaurants and a supermarket. That's one of the reasons why the T2 proposals include moving the marina to a more prominent position in the outer harbour, and freeing up land for development. That's the key to the regeneration of the waterfront.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2011
19:4790565#7
That can all still be done without the T2 going ahead which we all know is not going to happen.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2011
20:2590581#8
i agree vic, very unlikely to happen, whether under the present regime or the peoples port.
Unregistered User
28 January 2011
20:2890583#9
We all await the Minister's decision on the future of the Port.
Indecision means uncertainty over investment.
It is all interlinked.
Watty
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2011
20:3090585#10
Mr Watkins you only need to tell us once
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
28 January 2011
20:3190587#11
If T2 doesn't happen, then all of us living in Dover had better hope for a massive revival in Britain's industrial output and manufacturing capability, along with a strong decline in the rampant consumerism that is behind all the lorris on our roads. Times may be tough at the moment, but the traffic will come back. The reality is our balance of trade points to ever more, not less, freight traffic through Dover. A new marina on its own is unlikely to happen, but as part of a wider port development, then yes. But I agree it will take time.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
28 January 2011
20:3290588#12
all sorted now, yes the indecision must affect the town as well as the port.
the ferry and cruise companies would like to know what is happening too, do we know when a decision will be announced?
Unregistered User
28 January 2011
20:3490590#13
You are hitting the right buttons Kevin.
Watty
Unregistered User
28 January 2011
20:4090593#14
Latest info was the Minister had the necessary info to arrive at a decision. So only question is when not I am waiting for further advice/info.
Watty
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2011
21:1190594#15
I can tell you if it is sold off it will go the way that the D,H,B wish it to go and not the MP way. But as you all know most of the public in Dover do not wish to see it sold off .
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
28 January 2011
21:3890596#16
I believe there is a political will at Westminster to kick the DHB transfer scheme into touch and go with the Peoples Port. In the civil service, however, who advise ministers on such things, there is a binary mindset i.e. Either it's a trust port or it's privatised. Therefore there is likely to be a battle of ideas between Sir Humphrey and the politicians before a decision can be expected. We wait and wait but I think in the meantime Dover people ought to be asked what future they want for their port.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
28 January 2011
22:1790597#17
I and UKIP was saying just this Two years ago.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
28 January 2011
22:1990598#18
So call a town meeting and propose a referendum, Vic.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
28 January 2011
22:4590600#19
I see the whole docks thing going the way of the hospital - too many people sticking their oar in that think they know better than the experts... so what if the board gets a 'golden handshake' so long as it is good for the future of the Town and Port.....
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
28 January 2011
22:5390601#20
A 1992 plan for the Wellington Dock......
Been nice knowing you :)
Been nice knowing you :)
