scouserdave
03-15-2007, 07:54 AM
source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echobusiness/tm_headline=pledge-on-city---8216-super-port--8217-&method=full&objectid=18751517&siteid=50061-name_page.html)
Pledge on city ‘super-port’
Mar 14 2007
by Ian Hernon, Liverpool Echo
PLANS to make Liverpool a "super-port" will be included in the government's bid to revitalise Britain's sea freight and liner industry, a minister pledged.
Transport minister Stephen Ladyman promised there would be no north-south divide in the ports policy review to encourage multi-billion pound container and cruise traffic.
At stake is approval for the Post Panomax terminal designed to attract big cruise ships from the Far East and linked proposals for a world cargo centre at John Lennon airport.
The review will be completed by the summer and "will not focus on the south east ports but will apply across the country, including the northern regions".
The minister added: "These are exciting times for Merseyside. As long as Liverpool goes on to win the European championships, and can develop its port, no-one will be happier than me."
His comments followed a transport select committee report which warned against the review concentrating on Dover, Folkestone, Portsmouth and Southampton.
But officials stressed the minister was not giving the go-ahead to Post Panomax before the consultation period was completed.
The issue was raised at Westminster by Riverside MP Louise Ellman, who said the port was vital to the region's economic upturn.
In 2005 Mersey Ports processed more than 42 tonnes of cargo.
It was the fourth largest port oper-ation in the UK and a 350% increase over the last 20 years. In all, 87% of all north west port cargo tonnage now goes through the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal.
Ms Ellman urged the government, the regional development agency and local councils to "back the super port concept" bringing together the airport, port and ship canal with freight distribution centres near Warrington.
Pledge on city ‘super-port’
Mar 14 2007
by Ian Hernon, Liverpool Echo
PLANS to make Liverpool a "super-port" will be included in the government's bid to revitalise Britain's sea freight and liner industry, a minister pledged.
Transport minister Stephen Ladyman promised there would be no north-south divide in the ports policy review to encourage multi-billion pound container and cruise traffic.
At stake is approval for the Post Panomax terminal designed to attract big cruise ships from the Far East and linked proposals for a world cargo centre at John Lennon airport.
The review will be completed by the summer and "will not focus on the south east ports but will apply across the country, including the northern regions".
The minister added: "These are exciting times for Merseyside. As long as Liverpool goes on to win the European championships, and can develop its port, no-one will be happier than me."
His comments followed a transport select committee report which warned against the review concentrating on Dover, Folkestone, Portsmouth and Southampton.
But officials stressed the minister was not giving the go-ahead to Post Panomax before the consultation period was completed.
The issue was raised at Westminster by Riverside MP Louise Ellman, who said the port was vital to the region's economic upturn.
In 2005 Mersey Ports processed more than 42 tonnes of cargo.
It was the fourth largest port oper-ation in the UK and a 350% increase over the last 20 years. In all, 87% of all north west port cargo tonnage now goes through the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal.
Ms Ellman urged the government, the regional development agency and local councils to "back the super port concept" bringing together the airport, port and ship canal with freight distribution centres near Warrington.