EUROPE

Felixstowe gets green light

21 years ago

At time of press, Felixstowes expansion plans – Felixstowe South – were expected to get the green light from Government imminently. This follows news late last year that Hutchison Port Holdings neighbouring project at Bathside Bay was also likely to get the go-ahead together with P& O Ports London Gateway on the Thames, both these latter two being conditional on upgrading local infrastructure. A major government ports policy review will then by announced.

Bathside Bay provides a vital home for thousands of wild birds each winter, including shelducks which feed on the mudflats

Loans from the EIB worth up to €3bn will fund projects under the state’s Port Development Strategy until 2015. Any Greek port can apply to join the upgrade programme, provided they have a viable development plan and 50% of the necessary funds. The 25-year arrangement has a grace period of seven years and a 3% interest rate without state guarantees.

The RSPB says it is very disappointed to see the proposal for Bathside Bay consented “as it will mean destruction of yet another significant chunk of our coastline. Bathside Bay, at Harwich on the Stour estuary, has the highest international designation for bird protection.”

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s head of conservation, said: “It seems that the Government has decided that construction of the port is the price of progress. It will squeeze wildlife out of an important estuary. However, in promoting their scheme, Hutchison Ports has acted in an exemplary way taking full account of their environmental responsibilities under the Birds and Habitats Directives.” Avery added: “We will now seek to continue to work constructively with the company to ensure the habitat compensation scheme provides a safe home for the birds that will be displaced by the construction of the new port.”