The government has approved proposals for a new container terminal at Felixstowe South.
Transport minister Derek Twigg announced the decision this morning. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will formally give planning permission to the proposal later this afternoon.
The plans include the reconfiguration of the Landguard terminal as a deep-sea container port, and will add almost a kilometre of dedicated container quayside handling at Felixstowe.
The decision follows 2004’s public inquiry and last year’s inspector’s report recommending that the scheme be approved.
Twigg said: “The proposed reconfiguration of the port will contribute significantly to meeting the national need for additional container handling capacity in a sustainable manner.
“I am satisfied that the proposals’ impacts on infrastructure and on environment are acceptable and are adequately addressed by the proposed package of mitigation and other measures agreed by the promoters.”
The government turned down Associated British Ports’ proposed Dibden Bay container port in 2004, but has said it is “minded to approve” P&O’s plans for a 700-acre scheme at London Gateway.
References: EGi News 01/02/06
