PRESS RELEASE
Issue date: immediate

Port of Tilbury continues call for direct road connection onto Lower Thames Crossing

As the 10-week statutory consultation for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) development consent order begins (10th October 2018), Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group (owner of the Port of Tilbury), said:

“As the fastest growing UK port, it is crucial that this project enhances Tilbury’s northbound and southbound connectivity.

“We remain committed to achieving a direct road connection off the proposed LTC Tilbury junction into the expanding port area.

“To that end, we will continue to play a full and constructive part in the development of the scheme as it is shaped over the coming months.”

Support for a Tilbury link road:

• Jackie Doyle-Price MP, Thurrock Council LTC Taskforce, the South East LEP, the CBI, the Essex Chamber of Commerce, London First, Unite-the-Union, the Port of London Authority (PLA) and global businesses like P&O Ferries and Frontier.
• Improved road connectivity to Tilbury is supported by the conclusions of the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission, is cited as a case study in the DfT’s Port Connectivity Study, and in the PLA’s 2035 strategy document, the Thames Vision. The National Networks National Policy Statement is supportive of improved road links to international getaways and areas of economic need.

Port of Tilbury:

• Forth Ports Limited owns and operates Tilbury, alongside seven other commercial ports on the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay: Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy.
• Tilbury is the fastest growing port in the UK and number one for forestry products, paper, grain, recyclables and warehousing space, with a strong presence in cars, containers, cruise and ro-ro.
• Since privatisation in 1995, the Port has invested nearly £2bn in its facilities. The Port and its tenants are in the middle of delivering a £1bn capital investment programme, 2012-20, which is set to deliver double business (32m tonnes) and triple direct employment (c9,000). 1 in 5 of the employed population of Thurrock. Further expansion to the 1,100 acre site is anticipated in the future.
• Port of Tilbury and the 130 businesses based at the site are well placed to support the British economy following Brexit. With Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status (customs and security) secure and new European-facing ferry capacity due to come on line in early 2020 through a new port terminal, Tilbury2, Tilbury anticipates growth through existing and new short-sea containerised and ferry services in the coming years.

10 October 2018
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REVISED DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR WESTERN HARBOUR APPROVED BY EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL TODAY

The Revised Design Framework (RDF)* for a major development at Western Harbour in Leith has today (10 October) been unanimously approved by the Development Management Sub Committee of the City of Edinburgh Council who were positive about the submission.

Cllr Maureen Childs, Vice Convener Planning Committee commented: “The work that has been done on this has been exemplary.”

Cllr Neil Gardiner, Convenor of Planning Committee also said in the meeting: “lots of good work gone in and it really does show the benefit of a spatial plan led system.”

Cllr Chas Booth also said “this is a good application…I welcome this application.”

The vision of Western Harbour is to create a vibrant waterfront community which acts as the catalyst for a wider regeneration of the waterfront. The development proposals will deliver a residential led, mixed-use community with a new park, a proposed new primary school, shops and a waterfront promenade.

Commenting on the decision today Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive said: “We are pleased with the decision today (10 October) by City of Edinburgh Council to approve our Revised Design Framework for Western Harbour in Leith. Forth Ports and Rettie & Co. have been working together for over two years on these proposals that will result in the delivery of a community of 1600 mid-market rental home and park which should also create the setting for the new primary school for the area.

“Through our other recently completed developments at Harbour Point and Harbour Gateway, we know there is a great deal of demand from people looking for these mid rent homes and an opportunity to create a community. Our proposal represents a major boost for the Leith economy and for Edinburgh as a whole and we now hope for a positive outcome from the Scottish Ministers on the possible loan funding for this project. Work is well underway preparing a full planning application in readiness for submission before the end of February 2019.”

Matthew Benson, Director at Rettie & Co who are acting as Development Managers on Western Harbour, said: “Today’s announcement marks a major milestone on the journey to create a managed Build to Rent community of critical mass in Scotland. This latest development could not have happened without close collaboration across the public and private sectors and we will now apply our collective energies to the implementation phase.”

*Link to Revised Design Framework here: Item 7.2: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4552/development_management_sub-committee

Also a link to the video recording of the committee meeting: https://edinburgh.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/372396

10 October 2018
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Forth Ports Limited, one of the UK’s largest port groups, has for the first time won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) award at last night’s Logistics Awards 2018 in London.

The independent awards celebrate logistics industry excellence across a range of areas with Forth Ports being praised by the panel for their many community projects and skills development in the UK. Across the business, corporate social responsibility is key and is part of the commitment to the legacy the ports have with their communities.

Forth Ports supports many community projects across its locations around the UK including Tilbury in London and Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth and Dundee in Scotland. The business has a strong commitment to community engagement and building networks within its own workforce and with local people.

Commenting on the award win, Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports said: “This is a fantastic accolade for Forth Ports to win and we thank the Logistics Awards for recognizing all the work that we do. We are proud to receive this award on behalf of the many people across our business who work hard to ensure that the local communities feel part of what we do. We are thrilled to have won this award particularly as we also celebrate our 50th anniversary as a group this year.”

Forth Ports has achieved success in the development and up-skilling of its own employees, through an award winning Logistics Training Academy in Tilbury. In addition a new Skills and Business Centre will open this year in Scotland. Last year 652 training and plant skills courses were delivered with 2327 people attending the courses throughout the group. Forth Ports also engages with local schools, colleges and universities by providing experience days, internships and work placements.

Forth Ports is proud to support many charities and community events that deliver local benefits. Forth Ports has also invested in major local projects such as Tilbury on the Thames Trust (TTT). TTT has a board of six trustees from Forth Ports and the local community, bringing expertise in skills and training, regeneration and local community knowledge together. Forth Ports also works with the armed forces and DWP Trainees to give them the skills to return to the labour force.