“The Port is here to actively listen, engage and consult,” Dover Harbour Board (DHB) Chairman George Jenkins told the participants, before Chief Executive Tim Waggott gave a presentation on developing the shared vision for Dover Western Docks.  Bob Lane, a DHB Board member with an OBE for services to regeneration around the UK, offered his first hand expertise on achieving real regeneration.  It is not just about building things!

Workshop participants discussed a range of topics including regeneration, port and town working together, logistics, waterfront development, the environment and community directors.

The round table discussions were very engaging with comments made about the new approach of DHB and its positive and proactive engagement with the community. The event was seen as informative, useful, and a sign of positive intentions for community involvement and transparency.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “I and the Port of Dover team were delighted and humbled by the incredibly positive way in which so many members of the public took time out of their day to work with us in developing our shared vision.  To experience such local engagement was a clear sign of the progress that has been made by many people here at the Port to transform our relationships with our customers and community.  I thank everyone who attended and for their desire to work with us at every step of our exciting journey to deliver for Dover.” 

Key issues arising from the public workshop included:

• Restoring pride in Dover, cross-sector support and creating ‘Destination Dover’ are key to Dover’s regeneration.
• Linking key attractions and celebrating a shared maritime heritage supported by the Port will help deliver Dover’s regeneration aspirations.
• Creating new jobs and protecting existing ones is vital.
• Maritime training, traffic improvements and residential development should be considered for the waterfront.
• The Port’s support in developing the Bluebird Heritage Trail will support inward investment.

Developing the new marina should be an early step of the project.

The new Port and Community Forum and Port Users Group have been extremely effective in improving communication with the Port

Continued public events would be welcome and supported

Derek Leach, Chairman of the Port and Community Forum (PCF), said: “I and the whole PCF look forward to considering the views of those who came to the public workshop and taking the development of a shared vision for Dover Western Docks Revival to the next stage.  There was some great input and, importantly, great enthusiasm to work with DHB to deliver for Dover.  Our job is to make sure we harness that and move forward on refining the vision ready for the next public opportunity to report on progress at the Port’s Annual Consultative Meeting on 20th May.”

ENDS

Issued by Port of Dover External and Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00)