Dover in Kent is home to one of Europe’s biggest ports, where tourists board ferry services to travel across the continent.
However, the area is now going under a multi-million revamp in hopes that the area won’t just be a point of leaving and entering but become a “regional tourist destination.”
The new “Port of Dover 2050” plan includes the transformation of the waterfront as well as the Western Docks and Eastern Docks.
Additionally, the promenade across Waterloo Crescent will have new grass walkways and play areas – and there will also be a brand-new commercial area with restaurants and cafes.
It is all part of the plan to deliver the UK’s “most seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port”.
According to Doug Bannister, the chief executive of Port of Dover, there is no confirmed cost at the moment. However, it is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds – with a £500 million invested in the town’s renovation.
He told Kent Online: “We’re working through what all the detailed cost estimates might be, but safe to say it’s going to be hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds to deliver it, but it’s over the next 30 years.
“Each of the components, the Western Docks, the Eastern Docks and the waterfront, all have projects that are starting now.”
The new port is expected to bring a 20% increase in the value of trade; it currently handles up to £144 billion of it, and so it is expected to rise to £173 billion.
The plans also aim to make sure that the local community benefits from the revamp by creating an “outstanding destination” for residents to both live and work in as well as enjoy and generate more job, training, education and skills development opportunities.
The area will also experience changes before the EES system is introduced, which has been delayed until next year.
This is an automated system that registers non-EU travelers when they cross the borders of the European Union
Passengers using the port going forward will be registered and the CEO says that more space is required to carry out the process.
Doug Bannister added: “We accelerated the dock infill primarily to create more capacity for being able to conduct a portion of the ESS process, mainly the car registration.”
The changes will also see an upgraded ferry berth, more spaces for ferries and better cruise infrastructure.
