The post you are reporting:
Neil of-course is right in opposing private ownership of the Port, including all the facts regards to equity: profit-making for the owners and eventual share-holders, and the possibility of a run-down Port being later re-sold to another operator.
In fact, in my representation, I spelled out the risk of Dover Port going bankrupt if privatisation goes ahead, as a private owner would milk the revenues to their own advantage, at least to get their initial investment back, and then to reap a profit.
But, in my view, community ownership means the existing administrative councils, one or more of them. So a transfer free of cost of the Port to local community (council) would avoid any form of debt situation, excluding the need for City investors.
The Board present administration of DHB, as far as I am concerned, can remain in place.
Executives would be chosen/confirmed by local Government or Central Government, or even by both of these, but not by an independent body as is DPPT.
As for investment, this could come, as by me envisaged from the start, through a rail link, as well as through port/road tolls.
Any rail company interested in freight transport could indeed invest in a future T2.
Adding to this, because carbon laws require innovative strategy for transport, the Government is investing big-time money in transport of freight by rail. Therefore, it is very much possible that the State could invest considerable sums into a T2 based on a rail link for freight.
By googling the following: Rail freight's role in the green economic future, you'll find some very good information on the advantages of freight by rail transport, and also some info on Government funds for rail freight expansion.
At present, it is only myself lobbying the Department for Transport for a rail link to Dover.
No sign of DPPT there!