The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Professor Tim Broyd has witnessed first-hand the importance of the Port of Dover to national and local economic prosperity on a special visit to the port’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development.
Speaking about the development, Professor Broyd said: “ The revival of the Western Docks is an essential development for Dover and the nation, helping to increase long-term capacity for Europe’s busiest ferry port. It will provide employment, business and wider regeneration and is a prime example of how infrastructure can facilitate economic growth, improving the lives of local people and communities.”
The £250 million DWDR development is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the port and represents the next exciting stage of its evolution, delivering long-term capacity for a key international gateway handling trade to the value of £119 billion and representing up to 17% of UK trade in goods.
DWDR will provide a new cargo terminal and new port-centric distribution facility transforming cargo and logistics operations, and through the creation of a new marina will transform the waterfront and attract inward investment into the area.
Welcoming Professor Broyd on behalf of the Port, Richard Christian, Head of Communications at the Port of Dover said: “ It was great to have the president of the Institution here at the Port and for him to see so clearly how a piece of marine civil engineering can support national and local economic prosperity.”
Prof. Broyd met with the team involved in the development, including the Port’s DWDR Program Director, Dave Herrod and the principal contractor’s Project Director, Stuart Eckersley from VSBW, a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster.
During the visit, Prof. Broyd went on a walkabout around the DWDR site, taking particular interest in an innovative walking piling gate which is the first of its kind, limiting down-time when moving from one pile to the next.
The ICE president also saw the new Wellington Navigation Channel which is a vital connection to link the historic and new marina facilities, and the ongoing Dunkirk Jetty demolition which is being undertaken by a Sheerleg crane barge lifting nine concrete armor units at circa 250 tons each.