Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: “Dover Western Docks Revival is already benefiting our economy, even before it is open – providing business for local contractors, creating new jobs and developing the skills of our workforce.

“Once completed its impact will be even greater, as this flagship development will provide a catalyst for regeneration in Dover, supporting the jobs and livelihoods of local people.”

Since work started on DWDR at the beginning of 2017, of the 251 people who have worked on the site – 43% live within East Kent and 32% within the immediate Folkestone – Dover – Deal – Sandwich area.  Women account for 12.3% of VSBW’s Dover workforce – above the industry average of 9%.

With a dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) ambassador working with a number of local primary and secondary schools, and attendance at job fairs for young local jobseekers, VSBW continue to add value to the Port’s engagement with young people.

Five apprentices are working on the development and VSBW have spent over 1,937 hours volunteering in the local community and invested £29,387 into community initiatives as part of the Port’s wider corporate social responsibility agenda.

Rob Coupe, Managing Director at VolkerStevin, said: “Since we were first appointed, we have been committed to ensuring our work helps the Port provide an even greater boost to East Kent; be it through creating jobs, providing contracts to local firms or demonstrating to young people what the construction industry has to offer as a career.

“As we move towards completing the first stage of DWDR in early 2019, I’m confident the contribution of our work on this development will be felt as a legacy in the local community for years to come.”

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

  1. Port of Dover

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

 

  • Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
  • Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic;
  • A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle; and
  • Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

 

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover with c. £250m committed for its delivery.

DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Interim Client and Outline Design Award – the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

www.doverport.co.uk/DWDR 

 

  1. VSBW

VSBW is a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster to deliver the marine structures and bridge contract for the Port of Dover’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development.

With a contract value of £115m, this construction stage will include the design and build of two new berths including quay walls and land reclamation, a new marina pier, the marina curve, navigation channel and new lock gates, Bascule Bridge and capital dredging work.

 

  1. Methodology

Figures calculated using the John Maynard Keynes General Theory of Employment Interest using Local Multiplier 3 (LM3). LM3 is a methodology that can be used by companies, government or community organisations to measure how their spending generates local economic impact and benefit to communities. More importantly, LM3 enables people to identify where changes need to be made to improve that impact.

 

  1. Image

Images courtesy of www.cloudcamuav.com