The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Professor Tim Broyd, recently 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 West Revival (DWDR) development, VolkerStevin said in its latest release.
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 £250m 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 £119bn 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.
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.