Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
think many agencies have tried to solve this problem, it has to be solved before the lorries reach dover(lorry park) problem then is wilkl they use the lorry park having spent millions to put it in place?
will there always be police(doubtful)
not looking bright for the future
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
The point I was making was that this has been a perennial problem for Dover for many years. Of course there is an answer, but it relies on the political will at a national level. Successive governments of all colours have failed to recognise the value of Dover to the national economy, and have subsequently failed to deliver any policy to support the development of this vital part of our national infrastructure.
The answers include development of the port, the dualling of the A2 to Dover, etc. The previous government managed to find £371 million to build the A3 Hindhead Tunnel to relieve congestion between London and Portsmouth (a much smaller ferry port than Dover). The country's biggest ro-ro passenger and freight port is left to its own devices, whilst its residents are expected to just "put up with it". In the meantime, the problem will continue to deter potential investors, tourists, residents, and of course, the long hoped for growth in our economy. A decision soon on how the government intends to support the country's leading roro port would send a strong signal that they are serious about "growth".
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
All of that is very true Kevin, but as you say, it does take (National Government) political will.
The dualling of the A2 is (sadly) many years away, even before it gets scheduled, so probably around 10 years or more.
The decision on the Port's future needs to be taken asap, as you rightly say, so that development and improvements can be made.
Sadly too, growth is taking second place to austerity; it's a pity they can't think of a way to do both.
Roger
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
kevin your right mate
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it has now returned to normal,but there has been warnings on the radio news that it could revert back to what happend yesterday.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
surely anyone who was going away for the long weekend would have gone by now?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
thats what i thought howard,but stranger things have happend.next weekend looks busy though in reverse.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i forgot about it being half term as well as the jubilee weekend brian.
will be no fun next weekend especially for those living in aycliffe and along snargate and townwall streets.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it useally runs better howard,no bottle neck [port of dover] to worry about.
the only fly in the crap is an accident above western hieghts roundabout.
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
Kevin, I have to say I slightly disagree with you on what the traffic 'deters'. I don't think it prevents potential buyers everyone is well aware of the frieght traffic going through Dover. I think it is more lack of investment in the town centre itself that deters potential buyers.
Deterring tourists; we will always have tourists. Both the Port and the channel tunnel rely on each other, one cannot operate without the other.
Residents; The stacking of lorries is no where near as frequent as it used to be. There are plenty of ways around the frieght, we are all locals after all. The noise can't be helped.One day every now and again I can put up with. I refuse to get frustrated by it, as I said already, it's not often and I am never stuck for more than 15 mins if I get caught off guard.
Whilst its a one day annoyance for us surely the amount of traffic we have just seen is a positive sign, people are returing to holidays abroad.
As for the Olympics, I guess only time will tell.
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Helen: I think it would be more of a positive sign for Dover if tourists were coming here from abroad (I'm sure we'd be happy with domestic tourists too).
The investment in the Town Centre doesn't come from DDC, it comes from investors/developers. DDC do all they can to facilitate investment, not obstruct it.
Roger
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
HELEN;
The problem brian highlights is aycliffe is cut off when it happens cars cant get in or out of the estate because the lorries park across the roundabouts.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
Yes I am aware this estate is a problem when it comes to traffic but I always use the Western Heights to get in or out of it, including getting off the A20 early.
Keeps politics to myself
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
helen help lol
for most dover people you learn to adapt and avoid
but residents of aycliffe dont get this choice becoming housebound
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 708- Registered: 22 Dec 2010
- Posts: 102
On Bank Holiday Saturday, considering the amount of traffic that was heading out of Dover one way or another was managed quite well by the POD police and Kent Police. There was an incident on the A20 in the morning and tarffic was diverted off at Court Wood for a short while, even though the A20 to the port was a continous queue of freight for several hours, all other traffic seemed to be flowing at a resonable pace.
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
Thank you Paul this is what I'm getting at. There seems to be a general overreaction when we get traffic build up. I don't agree that residents are 'housebound' as I've said before don't get frustrated, wait a little while and they will move. I am pleased it is not as common as sight as it used to be but when it does happen its not like the forum or local radio, Port website, Kent police twitter, don't let us know.
As for the tourists I see plenty of foreigners in Dover at the most obvious sights. It's the town centre I see them lacking in numbers. Although I did not mention the council I would like to see them promoting this town for investment. Does anyone know if that is happening?
I fear Dover may remain a transit town if no investment is put forward, this would be a crying shame, I love Dover and think it has so much potential!
Keeps politics to myself
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
paul,try 12 hours of backed up traffic,its no laughing matter.evan millatery hill was jam logged at one point.
there should be a large lorry park near the channel tunnel with customs clearance and book in facilatys for fright there as well.the idea being to send down enough frieght to fill ship space at one time,all to be sent down when ships are point alfa [goodwin sands].
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
I do believe the problem on Sat was not vehicle numbers, it was passenger numbers. These took the ships up to their max safety capacity with the volume of booked tourist traffic.
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 708- Registered: 22 Dec 2010
- Posts: 102
Brian, only if it was that easy - how long have we been talking about this, almost as long as the St James development !!
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
if not longer.