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Nobody noting or giving credit to DPPT for being correct about the ferry traffic levels and how long it would take - in a best case scenario - for T2 (for ferries) to be remotely on the horizon. At last DHB recognise that I was correct back in 2010 when I first went public re T2 and how new market conditions had totally changed the game. I know that they feel that they have to fill in the Western Docks because if they don't carry out the HRO of 2011 within 10 years of its grant, they have to apply for a new one.
DHB have got the move of General Cargo and chilled goods from East to West right in principle (the principle of the move has been in the public domain from DPPT for a considerable amount of time) but significantly out of whack on so many levels on the detail of how to achieve it. I could write for many hours on the subject (and have, hopefully where it'll make a difference), but in short we have the same old DHB whose idea of informative consultation with the community is telling their community body - the PCF - just shortly before calling a press conference to announce it to the world in general what they are going to get and how good it will be for all of us.
The pictures of the 'vision' are basically T2 with the lorry park and the ferries wiped and replaced by what appears to be a single operationally effective cargo berth (which won't support the number of new jobs that the DHB have said), a whole load of warehouses/logistics/packaging stations (which won't be manned or operated by DHB staff and which may (or may not) provide new jobs for up to 320 people (sorry but the headline is wrong - it is not 600 new jobs, the entire complex may employ up to 600 people)) and some containers. The announcement goes long on lovely quotes and short on any real detail and is missing significant elements with regards to, financing, traffic mitigation, connectivity other than by road, reduction of Town Wall Street Traffic, rerouting of Eastern Docks bound vehicles, etc. The development announced by the DHB will cost more than T2 to realise and without the related projects, both along the town front and in the wider county, will not attract the logistics providers and cargo to make it financially viable in the long term.
It is good that after many years the DHB are talking about an expanded workforce associated with the port, but, and it is a big but (in the style of another local organisation), where is the means of delivery and the means by which such a complex will become sustainable.
DPPT vision is somewhat different in its detail with regards to how General Cargo and Chilled goods are serviced and given the room that they need for growth with the additional jobs that come from that growth and we continue to work to ensure that the community are properly (meaningfully) represented through ownership and in the governance of the port so that future port development is economically viable, realistic and linked with the needs of the ports customers, the town and the wider community. DHB continue to operate in their own silo on the basis of what we have seen yesterday.