The Gateway to Europe
Investors "take a fresh look" at Dover as town, Port and waterfront projects get underway

Multi-million pound investments in town centre, port and waterfront developments, along with a major house building programme will be showcased by INVEST IN DOVER at MIPIM UK, Olympia (19-21 October) the UK’s premier property event. 

Investors are being encouraged to take a fresh look at Dover as one of the largest construction projects in a generation delivers a range of exciting new developments.  This includes Bond City/Legal & General’s £53m St James retail and leisure development, and the Port of Dover’s £250m Western Docks Revival which incorporates a new cargo terminal, logistics hub, and a mixed-use waterfront development.  A major house building programme is also underway across the Dover district.

Bringing together over 400 investors MIPIM UK is the first major property exhibition since Britain voted to leave the EU.  Development opportunities in Dover are expected to attract strong interest as new trading relationships with Europe are forged. 

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “Dover is key to our trade with Europe.  Nowhere is better located with the most efficient links to mainland Europe.  We’re confident about the future with new infrastructure to support our ferry operators and their passengers, alongside one of the most ambitious port construction projects in Europe. 

“The £250m Western Docks Revival unlocks the potential of the port’s estate to support our growing cargo and logistics trades, as well as creating an exciting new waterfront development opportunity set against the backdrop of the English Channel and the White Cliffs of Dover.” 

Major UK investor, Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets took a fresh look at Dover in May 2016 when it announced a £53m deal to finance and acquire 156,915 sq. ft. of new retail and leisure space in Dover town centre.  The St James scheme is anchored by a six-screen Cineworld cinema, 108-bed Travelodge hotel, and a host of major retail brands, including M&S and Next.  

Neil Crawford, Head of Retail & Leisure, Legal & General, said: “We see huge potential in Dover.  The St James development provides a step change in the town centre retail and leisure offer and we’re seeing strong interest in the scheme as more and more retailers look to return to the traditional high street.  Coastal communities can be overlooked, but the potential footfall generated by the district’s growth agenda and the Port of Dover traffic is huge.” 

Dover District Council was the first local authority in East Kent to adopt a Local Plan.  This includes a major house building programme as part of plans to grow the population and improve the range and quality of housing.  With HS1 providing high speed links to central London in an hour the Dover district is seeing strong interest for its affordability and coastal lifestyle.  

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader, Dover District Council, said: “We’re seeing the results of many years of hard work to refocus the investment opportunity in Dover and create 3,000 new jobs.  We’ve built on the strengths of our proximity to Europe with better connections to the capital and a stronger local economy built on key sectors, including maritime, science and engineering. 

“More and people are taking a fresh look at the Dover district with its excellent transport connections, affordable homes and commercial space, and a wealth of leisure and recreation activities.”  

Mark Quinn, Managing Director, Quinn Estates, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Invest in Dover at MIPIM to showcase our exciting range of residential and commercial developments in the Dover district.  There is a strong level of interest in East Kent, as more and more people find out about the excellent transport connections and quality of life on offer with fantastic coastal and countryside locations.” 

Significant incentives are also on offer to new and growing businesses at Discovery Park.  The UK’s most successful Enterprise Zone is home to over 150 companies and 2,500 employees, with a strong focus on the science and technology sectors.  Discovery Park is currently building 70,000 sq. ft. of new high-tech manufacturing space, and starts work on 500 new homes in 2017.    

INVEST IN DOVER will be on Stand E25 at MIPUM UK, Olympia, 19-21 October.

Slow mover: Large load heading to Sellindge Substation from the Port of Dover

A very large load which is the size of a one bedroomed house is set to travel from the Port of Dover to Sellindge substation on Monday 24 October 2016.

The load, which is a piece of electricity equipment destined for Sellindge substation, will leave the Port of Dover at 23.00. It will join the A20 at the Union Street junction. It will then exit the A20 and travel along the Alkham Valley Road, the A260 (Canterbury Road), the A259 (Churchill Avenue) and join the M20 at junction 13.

It will exit the M20 at junction 9 and then rejoin it to travel back to junction 10, due to a weight restriction at this junction. It will then leave the M20 at junction 10, travelling along the A20 and Church Lane before reaching Sellindge substation. It is expected to arrive at Sellindge substation at approximately 5am on Tuesday 25 October. The movement has been scheduled to take place during the early hours to avoid disruption to local road users.

Throughout its journey the load will be on a specialist vehicle which is over 87 metres long and 5.8 metres wide. The vehicle will travel at approximately 12 miles per hour. It is recommended that road users try to find alternative routes, or allow additional time for their journeys.

To enable the load to leave the Port of Dover we need to close Union Street. This closure will be in place from 10pm on Monday 24 October to 1am on Tuesday 25 October. There will be a signed diversion route in place. Normal diversions will be in place for the ongoing roadworks on the A20.

The vehicle will be escorted by haulage contractors, ALE, and will have a police escort to ensure the removal goes smoothly.

Project Engineer James Sheridan said: “We’ve carefully planned the route with our specialist haulage contractors and local highway authorities to ensure it has as little effect on people as possible.

He added: “The equipment needed essential maintenance to continue to play its vital role in helping to ensure the region continues to enjoy a safe and reliable electricity supply.”

People with any questions regarding the delivery can call the Community Relations Team on 0800 731 1231 or email info@communityrelations.co.uk.

ENDS

Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations, 07785 290230, Jeanette.unsworth@nationalgrid.com, Out of hours: 0845 366 6769.

Photos: For photos relating to this news release please visit http://media.nationalgrid.com/

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  Notes to Editors:

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source.  In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.

In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.  In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:

  • We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
  • We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
  • Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
  • We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
  • National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry – 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
  • Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.

 

National Grid in the US:

  • National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.5 million customers in New England and upstate New York
  • We own 3.8 gigawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers
  • We are the largest distributor of natural gas in north-eastern U.S., serving approximately 3.6 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

 

Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com

National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.

Dover traffic to get revised speed limit boost

The national speed limit will be reinstated on the A20 dual carriageway near Dover Highways England announced today (Friday 30 September).

New signs on the coastbound carriageway will switch from the national speed limit to 40mph during Dover TAP, the scheme which cuts congestion by limiting the number of vehicles through the town at busy periods at the port.

This will reinstate, at quieter times, the national speed limit along the A20 which was reduced to 40mph in April 2015, as part of Dover TAP.

Highways England regional safety coordinator Colin Gardner said:

“Dover TAP has been successfully reducing the congestion on the A20 through the town at busy times.

“We are installing signs on the coastbound A20 that will allow us to change the speed limit when Dover TAP is in operation to improve journey times and reliability.”

Dover TAP has been used by the Port of Dover almost 200 times since its introduction.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, stated:

“This is fantastic news – a major milestone in the enhancement of Dover’s road network, including the Port’s own significant contributions through its buffer zone investment and junction improvements to the A20 to support local regeneration and connectivity.  These investments will all help keep Dover town moving while 17 per cent of the UK’s international trade moves through the Port, serving British businesses and consumers.

“We thank Highways England for their perseverance, our community stakeholders will be delighted with the delivery of the new signs. TAP has been of great benefit in supporting free moving traffic in Dover at busy times, and we look forward to this valuable system being improved.”

During Dover TAP, a 40mph speed limit will be in place between the Roundhill Tunnel and Aycliffe but will revert to the national speed limit at other times. The lower speed is required due to the likelihood of queuing traffic on the A20.

Detailed designs are continuing for the new signs, which will be installed in first half of 2017.

Ends

CLIA announces Plan a Cruise Month

CLIA’s annual Plan a Cruise Month takes place each October and is a global initiative.

Plan A Cruise Month is celebrated throughout North America, Australasia and Europe.

The #CruiseSmile sweepstakes offers consumers a chance to win their dream cruise vacation each week during the month of October, and every day features a different cruise vacation – showcasing there truly is a cruise for every travel style and budget. 

Consumers simply upload a photo of a great smile and are entered to win a cruise for two or four from a variety of CLIA Cruise Line Members. Participants can also enter by uploading a photo directly to Twitter or Instagram, using hashtags #CruiseSmile #Sweepstakes. 

Follow @CruiseSmile on Twitter and Facebook.

See more at: http://www.cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/plan-a-cruise-month

 

Young prize winner tours the Port of Dover

As the lucky winner of this years’ Dover Marina Open Day kid’s competition first prize, local boy George Lawford, aged 7, was treated to a VIP tour of the Port of Dover.

On arrival at the Port he and his Mum, Katherine were met by PR and Media Relations Officer Justine Wingate and whisked away for their day out. First stop was a tour around the Marina. Here George learnt how vessels are navigated and berthed and how the swingbridge operates between each dock.

Following this, everyone took to the sea on the Dover Harbour Patrol Launch (HPL), one of the Port’s dedicated vessels that patrols the Harbour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all weathers. George learnt how the HPL’s duties include guiding vessels safely into the Harbour and ensuring that, for safety, everyone using the Harbour abides by its rules. He was even lucky enough to see a seal in the water just outside of the Harbour entrance and to show off his driving skills by taking the wheel whilst supervised by the Senior Coxswain xxxx.

On returning to dry land his next stop was Port Control situated by the Eastern Entrance to the harbour. Here he learnt all about navigational safety and how Port Control Officers handle over 140 vessel movements per day including everything from cruise ships and ferries to yachts and pleasure craft. George was thrilled when the passing ferry crews and passengers returned his waves as they sailed by on their way to France.

Before leaving the Port, George was presented with a cuddly toy seal to remind him of his adventure and the real seal he spotted on his visit.

Justine Wingate, PR and Media Officer at the Port of Dover said: “It was a real pleasure to meet George and his Mum, show them around the Port and explain how it works. It’s great to give local people an insight into the role of the Port of Dover, the people who work here and the jobs they do. We all had a memorable day.”

Calais Camp Closure

We unequivocally welcome the announcement by the French government that the migrant camp in Calais known as ‘the jungle’ will be closed. The priority now is to ensure that the camp is closed as quickly, efficiently and humanely as possible with the inhabitants relocated to alternative accommodation away from major international ports. Everyone who travels through the Port of Calais has a right to a fluid, safe and secure journey, ensuring people and goods keep moving. We will continue to work closely with the French government to ensure that the Channel ports remain open for business and that the current situation is not allowed to recur, something which is in the vital interests of millions of tourists, hundreds of thousands of importers and exporters, and the national economies of Britain and France.

 

 

 

Dover Bluebird Heritage Trail Launched

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Dover District Council, Dover Town Council and The Dover Society, this fun and interactive experience provides something for everyone.

Distinctive Bluebird pavement markers have been embedded in the pavements and along the sea front in Dover.  The bronze way-markers along with a handy free booklet and a website and app connects a number of Dover’s heritage gems.  The self-guided walking trail includes the wonderfully preserved Dover Bronze Age Boat, Saxon, Norman and medieval religious institutions, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian fortifications, Jacobean domestic building as well as the Victorian and Edwardian harbour.   

The Trail, will inspire the local community and visitors to be much more aware of Dover’s rich and abundant heritage. 

The free Trail booklet will be available after 27 August at Dover Visitor Information Centre & Dover Museum in Market Square.  

For more information visit www.doverbluebirdtrail.co.uk or email doverbluebird@gmail.com

Working together to secure a strong future for cargo at Dover

Established in 1767, Kent based, George Hammond PLC developed the general cargo business in Dover over 50 years ago and with the valued support of the Port of Dover have successfully operated the Dover Cargo Terminal since its inception in 1990. Both parties have identified that the surest way to provide long term loyal customer continuity into the new DWDR era is to integrate the Port Services Division of George Hammond PLC into the wider Port business. With the continuing involvement of George Hammond PLC’s managing director James Ryeland and his dedicated senior team and staff, the Port will preserve the existing expertise whilst enabling the business to grow.

The parties have signed Heads of Terms for the transaction and are currently negotiating the detailed legal agreement before embarking on the process to effect the transfer, which will herald the next exciting step for the cargo business and the future of the Port.

ENDS

Rally for Heroes is the Wheel Deal

Today the Port of Dover Cruise Port was proud to host a visit from the Rally for Heroes Road Trip prior to their sailing to the continent for a whistle-stop tour of Europe’s best driving locations. 60 vehicles, including everything from a Ford Fiesta to Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Aston Martins will travel through France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Monaco and Spain covering 3,000 miles. Crossing some of the most amazing roads and passes imaginable over 9 days, it’s all in a bid to raise money for SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity who provide lifelong support for our forces and their families.

Now in it’s forth year the event, organised by Sergeant Mick Clark has raised more than £250,000 for Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA. This year’s rally has already raised over its £100,000 target.

Anyone can register to join in the next Rally for Heroes Road Trip. Details can be found on their website www. rallyforheros.com