THE public have been asked to voice their views on major plans to expand Tilbury Port, with the project likely to cost in the region of £100million,

A public consultation, set to start on Monday, March 6, comes as plans unfold for the proposed new port terminal, Tilbury2.

If the proposal goes ahead, the new port could lead to several hundred new jobs, and would include a jetty and deep water pontoon.

It would be built on Tilbury Power Station across 152 acres of land, the size of about 100 football pitches.

Peter Ward, the port’s commercial director, told of the economic benefits the scheme could bring to south Essex, and urged the public to attend a series of consultation events. He said: “We are one of the largest ports in the South East and have an ambitious plan in place to continue to grow and to bring economic benefit and jobs to the area.

“Our customers are looking for expansion opportunities in Tilbury, and Tilbury 2 is a part of the port’s overall investment strategy.

“The success of the port in recent years means that we now need more land close to the port to grow and our proposals for Tilbury 2, on part of the site of the former Tilbury Power Station, will allow us to do this.”

Forth Ports, which owns Tilbury Port, bought the land for an undisclosed sum in March 2016.

Its reasoning was that green belt constraints sit to the north east of the port, and the development would be far from the town and fort.

Mr Ward said: “We are an active partner in the community are we are holding a series of public consultation events in March and we hope that members of the community will come along and share their views with us there or through the online survey.

“We are an active partner in the community are we are holding a series of public consultation events in March.

“We hope that members of the community will come along and share their views with us there or through the online survey at tilbury2.co.uk.”

Councillor Bukky Okunade, who represents Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park Ward, urged residents to attend the consultation.

She said: “We need to weigh up the positives like more jobs, improved infrastructure, against detriments - like possible reduction in air and water quality.

“There could be increased noise, which is something my residents have complained about.

“I’m looking forward to the consultation, and I urge as many people to attend as possible, so we can give as much feedback as possible,

If successful, Tilbury 2 will act as a satellite for the main port, providing storage and facilities to import and export bulk goods.

For more info see tilbury2.co.uk