Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said:

“Today’s Government announcement is a clear vote of confidence in how the Port of Dover is investing in the future success of the nation and, according to Transport Secretary, Patrick Mcloughlin, how we are helping to unlock Britain’s economic potential. The A20 junction enhancements, commencing in 2015, are just one part of the Port’s commitment to major investment through Dover Western Docks Revival, one of the biggest projects in the South East.

“With record levels of roll-on roll-off freight traffic being achieved this year, the Port’s role as the gateway to Europe is vital in ensuring the UK can prosper and grow following several years of economic challenge. We are delivering for Britain by fulfilling our potential and our commitment to providing world class infrastructure.”

The announcement is also a positive affirmation of the role the Port is strongly playing in acting as a catalyst for major urban regeneration, supporting new homes and jobs.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said:

“We have been given a real boost of confidence in not only how the Port of Dover is recognised as a world class port with a major investment story to support a national growing and dynamic business, but also how it is enabling the regeneration and growth of a community. Together with the Port, we are putting Dover on the map as the place to be, the place to invest in for the future.”

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The new facility is a key milestone in the ongoing development of the Traffic Management Improvement (TMI) project that is transforming Europe’s leading ferry port.

TMI is part of an £85 million upgrade programme focused on the Eastern Docks, which is being delivered at the same time the Port has recently committed to investing up to £120 million in phase one of the Dover Western Docks Revival Project, the biggest single investment ever made by the Port. Together, such investments are transforming the Port for the benefit of its customers and community.

Sir Charles said:

“I am extremely impressed by the quality of the facilities and infrastructure.  It is an extraordinary transformation taking place at the Port of Dover.  With the growing relationship developing between Border Force and the Port, it was an honour and privilege to be at the Port for the official unveiling.”

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, welcomed the guests and outlined the significance of TMI to the Port’s ongoing development.

“This is another important step in the ongoing transformation of the Port of Dover. We are creating an additional four kilometres of lanes, a holding facility for 220 freight vehicles and removing the bottlenecks within the Port. The scheme is due for completion in late 2015 and we will see the re-routing of traffic flows, new variable messaging services and lane control and the significant bonus of reducing congestion and air pollution in the external road network.

“The Port of Dover is changing and we are at the forefront of developing a port we can all be proud of by working together with our partners to be the best port in the world.”

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The Port of Dover’s 2014 third quarter results show a 3% increase in passenger numbers in comparison to last year’s figures. This was far higher than UK’s growth of 0.7% for the same period. More importantly freight (road haulage vehicles) rose by nearly 10% both on the quarter to quarter figures and on the year to date figures. These figures are a true reflection of how the Port and its major ferry customers are securing increased market share against a backdrop of overall growing markets.

• Road haulage 2014 up nearly 10% compared to Q3 2013 (64% market share)
• Passenger numbers up 3% compared to Q3 2013
• Coaches up by just over 8% compared to Q3 2013 (68.5% market share)
• Car numbers down slightly by 0.8% compared to Q3 2013 (54.7% market share)
• The number of ferries entering the port remains the same

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, sees these latest figures as hugely encouraging for the Port.

“These growth figures show that we are on the right lines with our business model and development plans for the Port. They reflect our joint commitment to providing brilliant customer service and continued investment in Port capacity. The Port of Dover is often cited as the barometer of the UK economy’s state of health and as the UK looks set to be the fastest growing advanced economy this year, our figures reflect that and show we are both on the right lines. We have ambitious plans for growth and the development of the Port for the benefit of our customers and the community.”

The Port of Dover recently confirmed the Marine Management Organisation has approved the Dover Harbour Board’s application for additional powers through a Harbour Revision Order. This will now see the start of the Dover Western Docks Revival project, which should help to kick start the regeneration of the area.

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Christmas markets in Paris, Mulhouse, Avignon and across northern France kick into action at the end of November and run right through to Christmas Eve giving day trippers and travellers an opportunity to stock up on wine, Christmas gifts and sample the wide range of seasonal food and drink on offer.

It is not only day trippers taking advantage of the 90 minute crossing on the shortest route between the UK and France. There are more than 300,000 British skiers and snowboarders who travel to Europe each year driving to the French Alps to resorts such as Chamonix, La Plagne and Les Arcs. The benefit of taking your vehicle from Dover to Calais is that you can stop off along the way to relax, shop and enjoy the Winter treats of France. More importantly you don’t have to suffer the pain of excess baggage charges for all your equipment and those delicacies you decide to bring back on the ferry from Calais.

Passenger and vehicle numbers continue to increase as more people appreciate the relaxed travel and round the clock departures from Dover’s recently revamped ferry terminals. Dover is the UK’s leading ferry port and has seen an increase of 6% in coaches and 3% in passenger traffic compared to 2013 year to date.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “Starting any journey, particularly when it’s a Winter Getaway for Christmas shopping or skiing and snowboarding, should be about comfort, relaxation and enjoyment. The Port of Dover is the ideal departure point into the heart of northern France and for the French Alps. Travelling should also be about the journey and Dover’s ferries are as much a part of the enjoyment as the destinations.”

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Sporting their Port of Dover rugby tops at the sponsorship launch under the goal posts that look like a giant H, the local young players represent the heart of the partnership between the two organisations – nurturing skills and talent by working with children throughout their early lives to help them to achieve their goals in their sport and in their community.

Supporting the full range of DRFC mini and youth teams through to adults, the Port is helping DRFC and the wider sporting community achieve a step change in the development of rugby in Dover.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said:

“The partnership represents a commitment to the community at the grassroots level. It is another visible sign of how we are working together with local young people and a further example of how we are helping to put Dover on the map within the national psyche as an aspiring place.

You never know, perhaps the close partnership we are continuing with DRFC will see Dover represented on the national and international stage at a future Rugby World Cup, just as the wider investment the Port is undertaking will see Dover more widely represented and celebrated on a bigger stage as another English success story.”

Richard Catt, Chairman of DRFC said:

“We are delighted that the Port of Dover is continuing as sponsor of grass roots rugby in Dover. There is a fantastic sense of togetherness and a growing union between the Port and the community and we are glad to be a part of the process to deliver great things for Dover, returning the town to its former glory.

We have already seen benefits from our partnership and feel certain it can only get better.”

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The Minister visited Port Control, the nerve centre that ensures safe vessel movements at the Port, as well as Terminal Control, which controls all landside activity. He also observed the ongoing refurbishment of Berth 2, part of an ongoing major programme of berth refurbishment and renewal, and saw how the ongoing Traffic Management Improvement project at Dover is already transforming the Port to deliver a better customer experience for the 13 million passengers who already choose Dover as their gateway to and from the UK.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover said:

“It was a real privilege to host the Minister in our fabulous port. We were greatly encouraged that he clearly saw the benefits of our vision for the future to the Port, to Dover and the UK.

“He also recognised that alongside the positive recent developments of the community fund and progress on the appointment of community directors, the team was continuing to deliver a first class operational performance, essential for the economic prosperity of the nation. We look forward to welcoming him back to Dover in the near future.”

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Notes to Editors

• There is a vessel movement every 10 minutes at the Port of Dover.
• The Port handles around 10,000 freight vehicles a day, which equates to a queue of traffic 160km long.
• The Port is responsible for handling £89 billion of trade, 13 million passengers and 4.8 million vehicles each year.