President of the Institution of Civil Engineers hails Dover Western Docks Revival as ‘essential’
The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Professor Tim Broyd has witnessed first-hand the importance of the Port of Dover to national and local economic prosperity on a special visit to the Port’s flagship Dover West Revival (DWDR) development.
Speaking about the development, Professor Broyd said: “The revival of the Western Docks is an essential development for Dover and the nation, helping to increase long-term capacity for Europe’s busiest ferry port.“It will provide employment, business and wider regeneration and is a prime example of how infrastructure can facilitate economic growth, improving the lives of local people and communities.”
The £250m DWDR development is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port and represents the next exciting stage of its evolution, delivering long-term capacity for a key international gateway handling trade to the value of £119bn and representing up to 17% of UK trade in goods.
DWDR will provide a new cargo terminal and new port-centric distribution facility transforming cargo and logistics operations, and through the creation of a new marina will transform the waterfront and attract inward investment into the area.
The revival of the western part of the Port estate also supports the developing destination agenda for Dover, being identified as the key catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area. It will deliver valuable employment opportunities both during construction and on completion of the new cargo facility.
Welcoming Professor Broyd on behalf of the Port, Richard Christian, Head of Communications at the Port of Dover said: “It was great to have the president of the Institution here at the Port and for him to see so clearly how a piece of marine civil engineering can support national and local economic prosperity.
“That is absolutely what we intend here at Dover and I hope it was a great message for the young engineers accompanying Professor Broyd to take away.”
Prof. Broyd met with the team involved in the development, including the Port’s DWDR Programme Director, Dave Herrod and the principal contractor’s Project Director, Stuart Eckersley from VSBW, a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster. He also met with several other engineers working on the project including two graduate civil engineers from both the Port and VSBW.
Stuart Eckersley, Project Director from VSBW said: “Professor Broyd has a wealth of experience and knowledge in civil engineering, so it was an honour to welcome him to site and share with him some of the innovative methods we are using to develop the Port, as well as talk about the challenges and complexities during the first stage of the marine civils.”
During the visit, Prof. Broyd went on a walkabout around the DWDR site, taking particular interest in an innovative walking piling gate which is the first of its kind, limiting down-time when moving from one pile to the next. The ICE president also saw the new Wellington Navigation Channel which is a vital connection to link the historic and new marina facilities, and the ongoing Dunkirk Jetty demolition which is being undertaken by a Sheerleg crane barge lifting nine concrete armour units at circa 250 tons each.
