The Port of Dover, are thrilled to announce that for the first time ever, we will be hosting a wonderful Christmas event in our spectacular Cruise Terminal 1 building, formally the Dover Marine Station, Western Docks.

The event will be centred on a wonderful ‘real ice’ Ice Rink open to the Public from Monday 7th November 2016 through to Monday 2nd January 2017. With an English themed Christmas Market open on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays and throughout the week just before Christmas.

With festive music and decorations, a Christmas Market with unique gifts, Christmas themed family activities and workshops and best of all you can skate on a real ice rink.

Why not join us for some good old fashioned festive fun?

We are sure that if you have ever had the opportunity to visit the station building you will know what a fantastic location we have to host such an event.

We see this as a perfect opportunity to share our historic building with the local and extended community allowing them to experience the wonderful surroundings, usually only open to Cruise passengers and visitors to private events.

Also, word has it that Father Christmas will be making a grand entrance at the official opening on Saturday 19th November accompanied by his live reindeer, so best be there from 12 o’clock onwards.

Better still you can book a place for your children to see Father Christmas in the lead up to the big day and post their Christmas list in his special post box. Visit our booking website for more information and to book ice skating and Father Christmas.

The Port of Dover became the toast of the transport sector after being named ‘Port of the Year’ at the UK National Transport Awards 2016.

Supported by the Department for Transport, Transport Focus and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, the 2016 National Transport Awards recognise organisations making a real difference to transport across the UK.

In 2015, the Port completed its Traffic Management Project, creating 4km of additional vehicle holding capacity to intelligently manage increasing freight and tourist traffic. The ongoing Dover Western Dock Revival project, will provide a transformed waterfront with a new marina accommodating a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants and a new cargo terminal and distribution centre creating greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic.

“It’s a great honour to win Port of the Year,” said Tim Waggott, Port of Dover Chief Executive.

“We continue to be the busiest Port in Europe and recognise the huge role we play for our island nation.”

“This award is testimony to all the hard work that our staff, our customers and local partners have made in recent years to improve the facilities and services at the Port of Dover to ensure it continues to be a first class international gateway and progresses further towards our target of being the best Port in the world for our customers and community.”

During his keynote address, Rt. Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Transport has a unique power to make people’s lives better. It connects us with family and friends. It links us with jobs and schools. It helps businesses reach new markets. And it drives economic growth and prosperity.”

A major safety scheme to help save motorcyclists injured in serious crashes has reached Kent through the Port of Dover.

Port Police have joined forces with Kent County Council, road safety equipment specialists Travelspot, and Kent & Medway Safety Camera Partnership to bring the “crash card” to the county.

The “crash card” details a motorcyclist’s medical history, medication and next of kin, and fits inside the rider’s helmet. A green dot fixed to the outside of the helmet tells paramedics and firefighters at the scene of a crash that the casualty is carrying medical details crucial for their treatment.

The “crash card” was inspired by the Ambulance Motorcycle Club and is already in use in Northamptonshire. The scheme was spotted by an off-duty Port of Dover Police officer who was visiting a superbike event at Silverstone.

Paul Wilczek, the Port’s Chief Police Officer, said: “Each year, somewhere in the region of 19,000 motorcycles pass through the Port, so it’s an ideal opportunity to engage with British riders. Our initial production run of “crash cards” is enough to supply 30,000 bikers.”

Inside the Port, the card is being distributed by Travelspot – a company providing essential safety equipment which drivers heading for Europe are required to carry by law.

Charles Sterling from Travelspot said:  “It is great to be able to add this into our Driver Safety Information service for the ferry operators in Dover Port. This initiative is at its greatest importance when a rider is abroad and overseas emergency services are desperately trying to identify a rider and their medical history and next of kin without a common language or a direct link into the UK DVLA database.”

The scheme is also being rolled-out county-wide, with the project’s partners looking at bike shops and cafés frequented by motorcyclists to help with distribution.

Vicky Watkins, Kent County Council Road Safety Team Leader, said “Our work isn’t just about reducing the number of road crashes, it’s also about reducing the human impact of these incidents. We know riders of powered two wheelers are over-represented in crash and casualty statistics; e.g. 1% of all road traffic that make up nearly 25% of all fatal and serious injuries. When a crash happens, the ability for the emergency services to give the proper care is vital, so these “crash cards” will help the health professionals to make the best decisions they can.”

Early diagnosis and treatment of casualties is critical to saving lives and the “crash card” is expected to have an important role to play.

Colin Evans from Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership said “Speed is a significant factor in a crash as it contributes to the severity of any injury. Whilst managing vehicle speed is a key way to reduce crash severity, “crash cards” will help the emergency services make a quicker diagnosis on the scene and subsequently provide more targeted treatment that could save lives and reduce the severity of injury.”

Despite winning the accolade of Large Business of the Year in 2015, the Port of Dover has continued to advance with training, demonstrations and the promotion of the Port’s Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s). As a direct result of this work, the Port’s ship operators and external construction contractors have now gone on to purchase AED’s for their own sites and to train their own staff – not only in Dover, but at other locations around the UK where they operate.

Within the Port itself, equipment is located with the Harbour Patrol Launch providing cover for marine incidents; the Marina Office ensuring that visitors mooring at the Marina have access to advanced medical facilities and two units in the Port’s busy Cruise Terminal, catering for advanced care for cruise passengers. Redeployment of the AED locations this year has also allowed for mobile units to be utilised by the Port of Dover Police to provide a third ‘blue light’ response to areas within and outside of the Port. Investment was also made into ensuring all seven units have paediatric pads for the use on children, enhancing the flexibility of deployment.

As part of the continued promotion and use of AED’s, the Port delivered first aid and defibrillator training to staff on save a life days, Port-centric safety day and customer safety roadshows to the wider community.

This ongoing work has continued to provide necessary and immediate care. A recent case in point saw the deployment of the Port Police and safety personnel to the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest and the availability of equipment meant that two AED units were deployed to the scene allowing for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation within two minutes.

The judges were impressed by the Port’s improvement year on year, its outward looking approach and commitment and passion for AEDs.

The Port of Dover Lead Safety Advisor, Andy Stephens said: “Winning this award for a second year is a true representation of the investment of both the Port and its staff in committing to create a safer environment for colleagues, the wider Port community and the travelling public. It further endorses the work being undertaken with the local community and the training provided to local clubs and organisations, and also has a positive impact with close business partners who have been further influenced to enhance their own AED and basic life support provisions as a result.”

Admiral Lord West of Spithead urged the Government to invest in more ships for the Royal Navy and increase the size of the UK’s merchant fleet.

In a passionate speech, the former First Sea Lord, detailed how Britain’s rise to global prominence had been built on maritime strength and that investing in maritime was key to the country’s future prosperity.

Admiral Lord West said: “We are an island nation. Ninety five per cent of the nation’s trade in goods comes in by sea. The seas are the sinews of global trade. This is an area where we have traditionally excelled and should now look to do so again. Maritime should be the key foundation of our country’s future.”

Branding the current fleet-strength of the Royal Navy as “ridiculous – plainly not enough to do the job”, Lord West urged the Government to build more ships and back Britain’s maritime industries.

“Decline is a choice, it is not inevitable,” he said. “With our current fleet there are significant question marks around whether we would again be able to mount an operation such as we did to the Falklands and that has serious consequences for our country.

“We still have world class maritime industries and services in London but shipping is the most cut-throat industry there is and if we don’t look after them and invest in the sector, they’ll leave. It can happen.”

Backed by Associated British Ports and the Port of Dover, Maritime Nation is a campaign to raise awareness of the vital contribution of the UK marine and maritime sector. The campaign builds on three principles: 1) Ports and maritime are critical for UK trade; 2) Britain should build on its strengths as a maritime nation and 3) Britain should have a global trading outlook.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “We have a simple message. We are an island. 95% of the nation’s goods move by sea. The UK’s ports are the key link providing business with access to European and global markets. In a new world it is our international gateways that can ensure our trading island nation can maintain and enhance its global reach. As the industry for everyone, we can and must keep Britain trading and keep people and goods moving.”

James Cooper, ABP Chief Executive, said: “This is an issue that clearly transcends party politics and it is great to see the message receive such an enthusiastic reception at the conference. The UK is a maritime nation, with world class ports and infrastructure, skills, marine technology and services. Capitalising on this fantastic mix of maritime assets will be vital if we are to prosper in the world post Brexit.”

www.maritimenation.co.uk

– ends –

Notes to editors:

About Maritime Nation:

Maritime Nation is a campaign to raise awareness of the vital contribution of the UK marine and maritime sector. The campaign builds on three key principles:

1. Ports and maritime are critical for UK trade.

2. Britain should build on its strength as a Maritime Nation.

3. Britain should have a global trading outlook.

In the aftermath of the Brexit vote it is more important than ever to highlight the huge contribution Britain’s marine and maritime sector makes to the national economy and to rebuild Britain as a great maritime power.

We’re hunting high and low for alarming athletes, frightening fun runners and creepy kids to dress up in their scariest, spooky costumes and race along Dover’s seafront in this years’ Port of Dover Magnificently Macabre ‘Mini Monster Race’ on Friday 28 October.

With fantastic prizes for the most menacing monster fancy dress and for the race winners, it’s a spook-tacular that’s not to be missed.

All monsters competing in the race will receive a morbid medal and a terrifying ‘Trick or Treat’ goody bag. The sinister setting will be the Seafront Kiosk (on Dover Seafront opposite Horrifying Harbour House).

There will be two heats on the day; one for three to seven-year-olds (and their petrifying parents) and another for eight to fourteen-year-olds with availability for only 40 revolting runners in each heat.

Check in will be at 3:30pm with the little monsters’ race at 4:00pm, the second race for the older monsters at 4:30pm.

After the run there will be ghoulish grub and devilish drinks – and some shocking surprises. Finally, at 5:00pm at the Kiosk, the wicked winners will receive their prizes.

All proceeds from the day will go to local charities.

Entry is free so register for a place online at www.doverport.co.uk/events or for a booking form contact Karen.webber@doverport.co.uk

The A20 work is designed to improve the flow of traffic in Dover and to maximise the potential of Dover’s key regeneration projects including the Port’s Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) and Dover District Council’s St James development. 

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “This is an important scheme for Dover and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience with the works at the Prince of Wales Junction.  We’re working towards a swift completion of the works, and whilst there is still some inconvenience to come, this scheme will deliver an important link to the St James and Western Docks developments now underway.”

Whilst the first phase of improvements to the Prince of Wales and Union Street Junction has made good progress, issues with underground services have resulted in a delay in completing the first phase.

Work will now be taking place concurrently on the Prince of Wales and York Street Junctions until November – when the Prince of Wales Junction will be completed.

Extensive traffic modelling has been undertaken to evaluate the potential impacts of concurrent work on both junctions, and the results show traffic flows as coping well, including with Dover TAP (Traffic Assessment Project). Procedures are in place to monitor traffic flows and to quickly clear breakdowns. 

The work at the York Street Junction is expected to last until completion of the scheme in January 2017. The traffic lights at Woolcomber Street will then be upgraded before the A20 junction improvement scheme concludes in February 2017. 

Highways England Project Sponsor, Kat Saradinova said: “We are working closely with the Port of Dover to ensure any disruption to drivers and the local community is kept to a minimum. Working at both junctions will reduce any potential delays to the scheme for the 25,000 drivers that use the A20 each day.”

All partners thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst this key regeneration-enabling project is delivered for Dover.

Details of the A20 concurrent works:

• Concurrent work for the Prince of Wales and York Street Junction extends the one lane contraflow, from mid-September 2016.

• During this time there will be no right turn facility from A20 east bound to Union Street and no right turn from Union Street to the A20 east bound. Additionally there will be no right turn facility onto the A20 west bound from York Street and no right turn into York Street from the A20 west bound. Diversions will be in place via Eastern Docks and Limekiln Junctions.

• Traffic will be merged into single lanes before the Limekiln Junction to assist free flowing movement prior to contraflow through the road works at Union Street and York Street.

• On completion of the overall scheme the new traffic lights will adjust automatically to the traffic conditions to operate efficiently.

• Work at Prince of Wales Junction will be completed in November, with work at York Street Junction being completed in January.

• Work at Woolcomber Street will be completed in February.

• In circumstances where you require information and advice regarding the traffic situation please follow our travel twitter account for most up to date traffic conditions (@PoD_travelnews), or call Highways England customer contact centre (0300 123 5000).

ENDS

Note to Editors:

• A government-approved scheme to deliver better access to the port and support new homes and jobs in Dover (PRESS RELEASE: Major roads investment in London and the South East)

Port of Dover

The Port of Dover handles:

• up to £119 billion of trade
• up to 17% of the UK’s trade in goods
• 2.5 million freight vehicles
• 2.4 million tourist vehicles
• 13 million passengers

• Freight traffic volumes have grown by 30% in just three years
• Freight traffic volumes are anticipated to grow another 40% by 2030.
• The Port is progressing its single biggest ever investment – Dover Western Docks Revival – to deliver a dedicated ferry terminal, new cargo and logistics facility and transformed waterfront.

Dover District Council

• Dover District Council is working with its development partners, Legal & General and Bond City, on a prime 8-acre site that will transform the retail and leisure offer in the heart of Dover town centre.  The Dover St James development comprises 156,915 sq. ft. of new retail and leisure space, parking for 450 cars, and will feature a 16,000 sq. ft. M&S store, a six screen multiplex Cineworld cinema, a 108-bed Travelodge hotel, five national chain restaurants, along with a further 12 retail units (www.stjamesdover.co.uk)

Highways England

• Check out (Summer Advice for Drivers)
• Members of the public should contact Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Today the UK’s second most popular cruise port, Dover Cruise Port was graced by three magnificent cruise ships taking it to its full capacity. The Saga Cruises ‘Saga Sapphire’, Seabourn ‘Seabourn Quest’ and the Plantours & Partner ‘MV Hamburg’ looked resplendent in the sunshine against the turquoise waters of Dover Harbour. With them came approximately 2,400 discerning cruise passengers to sample the pleasures of Destination Dover and wider Kent, the Garden of England.

The Port of Dover is working hard with partners to highlight the fantastic attractions that this iconic town and the rest of Kent have to offer. From here cruise passengers can immerse themselves in this unique and historic location, making it a fantastic choice for Cruise Lines and passengers.

Head of Business Development (Cruise), Sonia Limbrick said: “It was a marvellous sight to see three stunning cruise ships in the Dover Cruise Port together today. Dover is one of the most modern and progressive cruise ports in the country and is the port of choice for over 20 cruise lines. Through the promotion of all that’s on offer at Destination Dover, and the wider Kent experience, we hope to encourage more cruise lines to visit us and help to boost our local, and county wide economy.

“I would like to thank Saga Cruises, Seabourn and Plantours & Partner for their visits today and their continued support. We wish them a pleasant onward journey until they return.”