Port will be working by 2010 (From Thurrock Gazette)

Port will be working by 2010

3:56pm Wednesday 30th May 2007 in News By Neil Speight

SOUTH West Essex is set for a £1.5billion investment bonanza after government ministers ended a near four year wait for a verdict on Thurrock's new 'world class' container port and business park.

That's how much developers DP World are planning to spend on the site of the former Shell oil refinery at Coryton near Corringham in a project that will bring 14,000 new jobs to the region.

It is almost four years since government planning inspectors held a public inquiry into the controversy scheme, which was bitterly opposed by many local residents but after it has been kicked around the corridors of power and back and forth between government agencies, Transport Minister Gillian Merron finally gave approval to the plan on Wednesday.

Now the Dubai-based firm behind the scheme is set to start work almost immediately and they say sites on the business park could be open within 12 to 18 months.

Work on the massive new deep sea port will take longer but the company predict the first vessels could unload by 2010.

When fully developed, the port will comprise up to seven container vessel berths and a roll-on roll-off facility along more than a mile and a half of quayside.

The development has courted controversy from the off with nearby residents, environmental protest groups and Thames fishermen at the forefront of the campaign to oppose it.

However, the transport minister says that all the issues have been resolved to the government's satisfaction.

Not everyone is happy though.

Opponents to the scheme say big business has prevailed at the expense of local needs and even MP Angela Smith has reservations about access to the site, saying she will be pressing for a second entrance.

But it is generally accepted that the development will have a positive economic impact on the region.

Essex County Council Leader Lord Hanningfield said: "I am delighted that Shellhaven has finally been approved and even more pleased the people of Essex will reap considerable benefits in terms of a major jobs bonanza, exciting new business opportunities, increased skills training and long-awaited road improvements."

DP World's chief executive Mohammed Sharaf, said: "London Gateway is one of the most significant infrastructure development programmes in the UK.

"It will play a major role in supporting international trade and deliver a substantial contribution to the UK economy. We will now be analysing the Government's decision letters in more detail, so that we can press ahead and work towards construction, which should begin by the end of the year.

"DP World is a global leader in developing facilities of this size and scale and we believe our experience will be a major contributing factor to the success of London Gateway. We are looking forward to delivering the benefits to our customers, to UK businesses, and to the local community as swiftly as possible."

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