Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

“We are making the biggest investment in improving our roads since the 1970s, ensuring journeys are quicker and safer.

The multi-billion pound project will connect communities, boost the economy and add vital extra resilience to the road network while reducing pressure on the existing Dartford Crossing. It is set to be the most ambitious road project since the M25 opened 30 years ago and will include the UK’s longest road tunnel.

47,000 people had their say in a previous consultation on the proposals – a record for a UK road scheme. A new, ten-week consultation on the latest designs for the improvements will start on Wednesday 10 October and run until Thursday 20 December.

The improved proposals published today include:

• Making the whole route a three-lane dual carriageway to improve traffic-flow;
• A new rest and service area to the west of East Tilbury;
• A new design for the Tilbury junction, removing the proposed Tilbury link road toreduce traffic on the local road network, and;
• An improved junction with the A2.

The 14.5 mile route connecting Gravesham in Kent and Thurrock in Essex is expected to reduce traffic at Dartford by 22 per cent with 14 million fewer vehicles using it every year. It will almost halve the morning peak average journey times between M25 junctions 1b and 31 from nine minutes to just five.

“The Lower Thames Crossing will help transform journeys, create new business opportunities in Kent and Essex and unlock productivity across the UK.

“It will also cut congestion at the Dartford Crossing and improve connectivity from our industrial heartland to our ports in the South East.”

Tim Jones, Project Director for Lower Thames Crossing, said:

“For too long the Dartford Crossing has been the only way to get across the Thames east of London. It is a vital gateway, but carries more traffic than it was ever designed for and drivers there suffer from regular delays, severing communities and holding back economic growth.

“The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious project of its kind ever in the UK and the biggest single road upgrade since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago. It would almost double road capacity across the Thames cutting congestion, significantly easing pressure at the Dartford Crossing and boosting the resilience of the whole road network. This consultation is an important opportunity for people to share their views on our proposals and I urge anyone who has an interest to have their say.”

The project will create a new, three-lane dual carriageway connecting the M2 near Rochester and the M25 in Essex between North and South Ockenden. It would include a 2.4 mile-long tunnel under the Thames between Gravesend and Tilbury – the longest road tunnel in the UK – and, at over 50 feet wide, the third largest bored tunnel in the world.

The plans published today include an updated, more detailed design which aims to maximise the project’s huge benefits and includes significant changes to minimise the impact on local communities and the environment.

Numerous measures have also been included to reduce the impact that the new road will have on local communities, including:

• Extending the tunnel so the tunnel entrance in Kent is 600 metres further south toreduce the visual impact and protect access to a community church;
• Lowering road by five to six metres in places to reduce its visual impact;
• Moving the road 80 metres further east where it passes Chadwell St Mary toincrease the distance from residential properties.

The preferred route was announced last April by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. Some 25 public information events are being held across Kent and Essex, as well as 30 visits to local communities to help people understand more about the proposals and put any questions directly to the project team. At each event, specialists will be on hand to explain the proposed route, how it would be built and operated, and how Highways

England plan to minimise the impact on the local environment and community. All information is also available online www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/haveyoursay

The consultation starts today and runs for ten weeks.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising,maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

2.Details of media interview opportunities were published on Monday 8 October. To bidplease contact Highways England press office on the number at the foot of this release.

3.Details on how to take part in the consultation will be found atwww.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/haveyoursay

4.The following are quotes from business groups who have shown their support for the newLower Thames Crossing:

Port of Dover Richard Christian, Head of Policy & Communications, Port of Dover, said: “The UK’s reliance upon continued frictionless trade at the Port of Dover has been accepted at the heart of Government. So has the need to preserve it. For a port handling £122bn or 17% of the UK’s trade in goods, and with half of that trade moving beyond London to keep factories busy and shops full in the Midlands and the North, the Lower Thames Crossing is an investment in the long-term economic success of the UK as a whole. The Port continues to press hard for a Government commitment to other complementary strategic investments such as the dualling of the A2 to Dover which, together with the Lower Thames Crossing, will help protect jobs and livelihoods, keep traffic flowing and prices low for British consumers.”

SELEP (South East Local Enterprise Partnership) Christian Brodie, Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), said: “This marks the important next step for this urgently needed and game changing project which will help us drive forward the economy of the South East. I would urge every business to back this vital investment in infrastructure and participate in the consultation.”

Essex Chambers of Commerce Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive Officer of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘We are extremely pleased that this important Consultation has been launched for a ten-week period. Essex Chambers have strongly supported the need for a Lower Thames Crossing from the very start. The time now is for businesses to have their say and we would encourage you to visit the Lower Thames Crossing Website to learn more about this fantastic project that will help Essex prosper economically, logistically and be a global leader’.

Kent Chambers of Commerce Jo James, Chief Executive Officer of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing will open up new opportunities, enabling businesses across Kent and the wider South East to achieve their growth potential and will have a significant impact on our future prosperity. As the ten-week consultation opens, I would strongly urge businesses to put their views forward by responding to the consultation.”

Freight Transport Association Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s Head of Road Network Policy, said: “FTA, which represents more than 17,000 logistics businesses, urges government to press ahead with construction of the Lower Thames Crossing as soon as possible to ease congestion and improve road capacity in this area. Traffic congestion at the Dartford Crossing is already unbearably high and it is predicted to return to pre-Dart Charge levels by 2020. The M2 / M25 route is a vital cog in the country’s freight machine and it must continue to work as smoothly as possible to ensure that British companies can trade without delays both domestically and internationally.”

Stobart Group London Southend Airport

Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Stobart Aviation, said:

“Stobart Group is proud to support this visionary and important infrastructure project. It will make a major contribution to sustainable growth and significantly enhance mobility for both people and goods across the river. We look forward to working with colleagues in the LTC team to help deliver this transformational scheme.”

5. Details of the public exhibition events are as follows:

• Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, RM16 3HS on Tuesday 16 October from 2pm to 9pm

• Bluewater Shopping Centre, Bluewater Parkway, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST, on Saturday 20 October from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday 21 October from 11am to 5pm 

• Chalk Parish Hall, Pirrip Close, Gravesend, DA12 2ND, on Monday 22 October from 2pm to 9pm

• Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford, DA1 2JZ, on Tuesday 23 October from 2pm to 9pm 

West Horndon Village Hall, Thorndon Avenue, West Horndon, CM13 3TP on Wednesday 24 October from 2pm to 9pm 

• Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock Way, Grays, RM20 2ZP on Saturday 27 October from 9am to 9pm, and on Sunday 28 October from 11am to 5pm
•  Tilbury Community Association, Civic Square, Tilbury, RM18 8AA on Tuesday 30 October from 2pm to 9pm
•  Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend, DA12 4LG, on Thursday 1 November, from 2pm to 9pm
•  Shorne Village Hall, 16 The Street, Shorne, DA12 3EA, on Saturday 3 November from midday to 6pm
• Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays, RM16 2JU on Tuesday 6 November from 2pm to 9pm
•  Linford Methodist Church, East Tilbury Road, Linford, SS17 0QQ on Wednesday 14 November from 2pm to 9pm
• Brandon Groves Community Club, Brandon Groves Avenue, South Ockendon, RM15 6TD on Friday 16 November from 2pm to 9pm
•  The New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH on Saturday 17 November from midday to 6pm
• Holiday Inn Basildon, Cranes Farm Road, Waterfront Walk, Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, SS14 3DG on Monday 19 November from 2pm to 9pm
• Gravesham Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AU, on Wednesday 21 November from 2pm to 9pm
• St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Lane, Upminster, RM14 3QH on Thursday 22 November from 2pm to 9pm
• Havering College of Higher and Further Education, 42 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LL, Monday 26 November, 2pm to 9PM
• Holiday Inn Brentwood M25 junction 28, Brooke Street, Brentwood, CM14 5NF on Wednesday 28 November from 2pm to 9pm
• Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD on Friday 30 November from 2pm to 9pm
• Doubletree Dartford Bridge, Masthead Close, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, DA2 6QF, on Monday 3 December from 2pm to 9pm
• Dover Town Hall, Biggin Street, Dover, CT16 1DL, on Tuesday 4 December, from 2pm to 9pm
• Rochester Corn Exchange, Northgate, Rochester, ME1 1LS, on Wednesday 5 December, from 2pm to 9pm
• Chadwell Village Hall, Waterson Road, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4NX on Friday 7 December from 2pm to 9pm

6. To see and download more pictures of the Lower Thames Crossing, visit: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AoeN9MzdoO48lV6YbZ58FwAPouQG

7. You can download the latest Lower Thames Crossing fly-through video here: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/6c87dc224699033d36c3274275d1041b20181009082709/b9383a8f2510782f36162fe6b3047e3820181009082709/238e20

8. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:

From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk

– By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to a 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.

– On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

– From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the East of England follow us at @Highways EAST or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.

Issued by Highways England.

For further information please contact SE&Epressoffice@highwaysengland.co.uk, 0300 470 4860. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.

Saga has today announced that the official naming ceremony of Saga Cruises’ first new-build ship Spirit of Discovery will be held at the Port of Dover on July 5, 2019 – the first ship to be named at Dover following the completion of stages 1& 2 of the £250m redevelopment of Dover Western Docks.

“As the place that Saga’s first cruise ship set sail from more than 20 years ago, Dover was ‘the natural choice”, revealed chief operating officer Nigel Blanks, in London, on 18^th September at an exclusive event with Jools Holland – the face of The Club by Jools’ on board Spirit of Discovery, the only small ship currently being built for a British Market.

“With Saga’s Group headquarters based in Kent, we felt it only right that we name our first brand new, purpose-built cruise ship in Kent and what better way to do that than with the iconic White Cliffs of Dover as a backdrop. Spirit of Discovery will be the first cruise ship to be named in the port for more than a decade and the first following the regeneration of the Western Docks. We are already planning a few surprises, and will no doubt add a few more before next year, so save the date, as we christen the first of our new-build fleet” Blanks added.

Spirit of Discovery’s maiden voyage will sail from Dover on July 10, 2019. The 999-guest luxury boutique ship will circumnavigate the British Isles.

“We are really excited about her first cruise as it’s a great way to show-off our first new boutique cruise-ship to the British market as we call in to iconic ports such as Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast and Liverpool,” said Blanks.

The inaugural cruise has already sold out and most other 2019 itineraries are well ahead of expectations with the 109 single cabins proving extremely popular. Spirit of Discovery’s destinations throughout summer 2019 include Spain, Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as a four-night mini-cruise to Holland, Germany and Belgium.

In addition, Saga recently announced the company’s strategic decision to move to all-inclusive cruising as standard from 2020.  Nigel Blanks said “the decision to go all-inclusive in 2020 had been made to distance ourselves further from the competition and mass cruise market”. He said: “I firmly believe this will not only sit very well alongside our ‘Boutique Cruising’ proposition but will reaffirm our position as Britain’s niche luxury cruise operator’.

Port of Dover Head of Cruise, Sonia Limbrick said: “It is a great honour, and we are thrilled that Dover Cruise has been chosen as the venue for the momentous naming ceremony of Saga’s new ship ‘Spirit of Discovery’.

“Having first sailed from Dover back in 1997 with the Saga Rose, their magnificent cruise ships have been a welcome feature of the historic Western Docks for over 20 years. With our exciting £250m redevelopment well underway, ‘Dover Western Docks Revival’ will offer a uniquely enhanced experience to the ship when she calls in 2019 and we are greatly looking forward to greeting her in Dover.”

The Port of Dover and its contractor for its flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development, VSBW – a joint venture between VolkerStevin Boskalis Westminster – teamed up to form panel of ‘dragons’ which consisted of: Jenny Beacon – Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at the Port of Dover, Paula Cruttenden – Project Manager at VSBW and Ron Eckersley – Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at VSBW.

Other members of the panels included representatives from Demelza, ADM Computing, Wyndeham Group and Dover District Council (DDC).

NCS is a four week programme that provides young people aged 15-17 the chance to take on new challenges, experience exciting activities, make long-lasting friendships and develop vital skills that will support them later in life.

Up to 30 young people prepared a ten minute presentation to introduce their ideas, outline how their project would work and explain what additional assistance they were seeking. The young people were then quizzed by the dragons, which offered the youngsters further ideas and provided valuable feedback to help shape their project.

The setting for the imposing Dragon’s Den event was at Dover Christ Church Academy as Jenny Beacon, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, said: “It was obvious a lot of hard work had gone into each presentation and the young people came across really well pitching their ideas. We wish them well as they put their projects into action’.”

VSBW continue to add value to the Port’s engagement with young people and into community initiatives as part of its wider corporate social responsibility agenda. Ron Eckersley, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said: “The young people we met were full of energy, enthusiasm and great ideas, which will see them, go on to do great things.”

The young people will now use the feedback they received and to hone their social action project ideas. Each team’s project is due to be completed in the next few weeks. 

Gillian Flegg, responsible for delivering the NCS programme at CXK said: “We are so delighted to see the positive engagement NCS is having within the local community. It’s so important to help young people develop these invaluable skills and ideas and receive encouraging and supportive feedback, from local professionals. NCS is so fortunate to work with such great organisations and individuals that are passionate about the development of young people.

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 scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Whole Team Interim 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 

2. 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. 

3. NCS

NCS is a four week programme that provides young people aged 15-17 the chance to take on new challenges, experience exciting activities, make long-lasting friendships and develop vital skills that will support them later in life. A flagship government initiative, it was launched to tackle three core issues of importance to society: social cohesion, social mobility and social engagement. Established in 2011, more than 400,000 young people across the country have already taken part.

4. CXK

CXK is a charity that delivers a range of services to empower young people and adults across the south-east to build the skills and confidence they need to move into sustainable education, employment or training.

On Sunday 26 August, the shore side stage will provide the platform for some great local talent to perform throughout the day and into the evening.

The programme of artists for the day will be:

10:00 – 10:30     The Wiggins Sisters

Singing group of sisters, performing both covers and original material. Based in Kent.

10:30 – 12:00     Swingtime Sweethearts

The Swingtime Sweethearts are Annie Riley & Le’arna Castle, both successful solo artists, with a combined experience of over 20 years. Their affection for the forties has brought them together to perform as the Swingtime Sweethearts. Their wide range of songs from the 1940s, wartime & swing, includes the hits of The Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Anne Shelton, Gracie Fields and Glenn Miller. The girls have been very busy since meeting in 2006, performing at Air shows, War events, and Festivals all over the country.

12:00 – 13:30     Happy Feet Ragroof Players

Let’s dance! The Ragroof Players present their latest participatory show, Happy Feet, in which a team of fabulous DJs and dancers take you on a non-stop dance-a-thon through the decades.

14:00 – 16:00     Kent’s Michael Buble – Jason Allen Sway

His tribute to The Great American Songbook includes some of the greatest swing songs ever written, performed by some of the world’s biggest stars including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and modern favourites Michael Buble, Jamie Cullum & Robbie Williams.

16:30 – 18:00     Cool Manière

Cool Manière are a 5 piece band from Kent. Playing music from the 60’s up to current day.

18:30 – 20:30     Rudy Warman & the Heavy Weather

A popular trio from Folkestone playing all original music with their own unique sound.

So come along, enjoy the fun and watch some of Kent’s best talent perform on our beautiful Dover seafront.

To mark the ICE’s 200th anniversary, and to support Government’s Year of Engineering, the Institution is highlighting 200 inspirational and world-changing projects from around the world throughout 2018. Nominated by the ICE’s members and selected by an expert panel, the chosen projects illustrate the breadth and depth of civil engineering’s impact.

The Port of Dover has played a significant role in British history. Dover’s existence as a harbour of refuge contributed to Britain’s strength as a trading nation. The port was also an essential base for the Royal Navy during both world wars and played a major role in the evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk in 1940.

This was made possible in part due an enduring connection between the ICE and the Port. Thomas Telford, ICE’s 1st President, was approached by the Duke of Wellington, then Chairman of Dover Harbour Board, in 1834 to be involved in the development of Wellington Dock – the first enclosed dock in Dover – which now forms a key feature in the port’s current development.

Sir John Hawshaw, another past President of the ICE, designed the Admiralty Pier, which still forms the western arm of the harbour. Completed in 1909, the 800ft (244m) long stone structure curving out from the shore into the English Channel was named as one of the great British engineering feats of the 19th and early 20th century. Built of large concrete blocks weighing from 30 to 40 tons, it has an outward granite facing on those blocks that are above water level.

Today, thanks to the building blocks of the past two centuries, Dover remains a leading commercial port and is currently undergoing a new phase of development. The Port of Dover’s flagship £250m Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development is the single biggest investment it has ever undertaken and represents the next exciting stage of its evolution, delivering long-term capacity for a key international gateway handling trade to the value of £122bn and representing up to 17% of UK trade in goods.

Jonathan Baggs, Director ICE South East England, said:

“The development of the Port is recognition of its importance locally and internationally as Europe’s busiest roll-on roll-off ferry port.

The investment of this scale in the region shows how infrastructure can be a catalyst for economic growth and improving the lives of local people – and civil engineers are at the heart of delivering this”

With UK Government approval DWDR will deliver two deep-water berths and a new refrigerated cargo terminal, with 13 hectares of reclaimed land for future port-centric development – thereby releasing space to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the ferry terminal in the Eastern Docks. With DWDR plans also including a new marina in the outer harbour and a transformed waterfront, the project will protect jobs and create long-term economic benefit both locally and nationally.

Dave Herrod, DWDR Programme Director at the Port of Dover, said:

“The Port’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area and ultimately ensuring the long-term resilience of this vital cross-Channel trade link. 

“The revival of the western part of the Port estate supports the developing destination agenda for Dover, being identified as the key catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area. It has delivered valuable employment opportunities during construction and will continue to do so on completion of the new cargo facility.”

The Port of Dover is one of 200 projects that will be published throughout the year on the What Is Civil Engineering? pages of the ICE website. What is Civil Engineering? will not only host these projects but can also be used as a career guidance tool for those hoping to pursue a career in civil engineering. Once inspired by the projects being produced each month, there is comprehensive advice and guidance on how to become a civil engineer no matter what level of education someone has, or what stage in their career they have reached.

This platform has been designed to help promote the career of civil engineering after it was revealed that only 45% of adults know what the career entails and only 35% of young people could tell you what a civil engineer does.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Institution of Civil Engineers is reaching a rare milestone in 2018 – a bicentenary. Port of Dover Video – https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/what-do-civil-engineers-do/the-dover-western-dock-revival 
2. ICE 200 is a perfect chance to celebrate the institution’s longevity, recognise the profession of civil engineering and most importantly the thousands of members who make the institution what it is. ICE will use the bicentenary as opportunity to remind the general public that civil engineers transform their lives for the better and safeguard the future for their families. In doing so, the institution also hopes to encourage young people to see civil engineering as a creative, rewarding and highly enjoyable career. Events are planned for throughout 2018 and information will be made available on the ICE website.
3. What is Civil Engineering? can be found at www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering.
4. The perception survey conducted by ICE, in conjunction with TLF, had a sample size of 1,000 adults and a second group of 1,000 young people. The research found that:

• 55.1% of adults stated that they didn’t know what a civil engineer does
• 65% of young people stated they didn’t know what a civil engineer does
• Only 36.5% of those surveyed could identify a civil engineering project in the UK

5. For further information on Port of Dover’s Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development, visit www.doverport.co.uk/DWDR
6. DWDR images and drone footage courtesy of CloudCam UAVC and Breckland Geomatics 

Saga Cruises dominated the historic Western Docks on 5 June with ‘Saga Sapphire’ and ‘Saga Pearl II’ berthed together. They then went on to make further calls at Dover during the month.

The magnificent Crystal Cruises ‘Crystal Serenity’ and Princess Cruises ‘Pacific Princess’ were welcomed in Dover on their maiden calls of the season this month.

Combining the high standards of modern cruising with the romanticism of a tall ship, Dover Cruise was also delighted to welcome Sea Cloud Cruises majestic windjammer ‘Sea Cloud II’.

Also visiting Dover in June were Fred Olson Cruise Lines ‘Boudicca’ calling twice and Costa Cruises ‘Costa Pacifica’.

Port of Dover Head of Cruise, Sonia Limbrick said: “June has been another successful month at Dover Cruise and I would like to thank all of the Cruise Lines that visited us this month for their continued support. I look forward to seeing them here in Dover Cruise again soon.”

She joined the port’s IT department in September 2015 on a 2-year apprenticeship and completed the Software, Web & Telecoms Level 3 NVQ within 18 months and has since completed the Level 4 – an admirable achievement.

As a result of her hard work and dedication, Abi was offered a permanent role as IT Technician (Improver) in the port’s IT department at the end of her apprenticeship in August 2017 and is developing her career via a 2-year Improvement Plan.

East Kent College Head of Computing and Access, Annike Dase said: “Abi was an exemplary apprentice who continually challenged herself in her workplace as well as her academic studies. She always applied herself fully and continually achieved high grades for her work.”

The Port of Dover apprenticeship programme offers exciting opportunities to school and college leavers such as the chance to study towards nationally recognised qualifications and gain valuable work experience whilst receiving a salary.

This Sunday (July 1), Dover Marina will be staging an exciting day of maritime fun.

Hosted on Crosswall Quay (off Snargate Street), from 10am until 4pm, the free-to-enter day of nautical entertainment will feature sailing taster experiences from Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club and an opportunity to paddle the famous Bronze Age Boat.

The port’s Safety and Environmental Team will be giving youngsters the chance to win a private port tour, boat trip and cuddly Sammy the Seal. Also adults can be in with a chance to win a £50 Cullins Yard voucher.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be on hand to talk about safety and provide visitors with a close-up look at one of their engines.

And the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be opening its Dover Station, shop and rescue vessel to the public. The RNLI will also be offering free lifejacket safety checks for boaters.

All of this and a host of other marine based exhibitors, food and drink, exciting activities and entertainment will be on offer.

The event is being held in partnership with the RNLI and is a fantastic opportunity to bring Dover’s boating community and industry experts together for a day that celebrates all things maritime.

Free parking will be offered in the Harbour House car park on Cambridge Terrace 9am – 5pm for Marina Open Day visitors.

So whether you’re an experienced mariner, budding sailor or just looking for a fun day out – there will be something for everyone at this year’s Dover Marina Open Day.

Notes to Editors

Port of Dover’s main stand this year will feature the Port’s marina, environmental, and safety teams, as well as a Neighbourhood Policing Unit

Free face painting will be available as well as giveaways.

Exhibitors will include: Canterbury Archaeological Trust (Bronze Age Boat), RCPYC, Boatshift Marine Transport, Clarke and Carter, National Coast Watch Institution, Cullen’s Conjuring, Kent Fire and Rescue, Dover & Deal Sea Cadets, Cinque Ports Sailing, The Candy People, UK Border Force, Viking Maritime Skills Academy, Wet Wheels, and Kent Wildlife Trust.