Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 2186

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

Trinity House vessel "Patricia" passing Samphire Hoe last week. Photo courtesy of Phil Smith.



Monday, 13 July 2015 - 10:58

 

Post 2185

  Sea News, Dover

CALAIS CHAOS SHOULDN'T BRING KENT TO A STANDSTILL...says your MP Charlie Elphicke.




In the last few weeks, Dover and Kent have suffered serious disruption. Illegal wildcat strikes at Calais spreading into attacks on the Eurostar service cut off cross-Channel traffic. The French authorities lost control of the town and port. The result was cross-Channel trade grinding to a halt.

The chaos at Calais had severe effects on our area. Cross-Channel traffic was left to back up through Kent. Operation Stack was put into action and even reached Phase 4 - something which has never happened before. Commuters couldn't get to work.

Businesses lost valuable custom. Patients struggled to reach hospital appointments.
We know that if things stay the same, this will continue to happened. That's why I have been making the case at the highest levels for solutions to these traffic problems. Over the last week, I have met with the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Transport Secretary to make our case and demand strong action.

Some of the changes have already made a difference. Restrictions on the A20 outside Dover to clear the right hand lane for cars and local traffic have been effective. This new TAP system, which I campaigned for and secured before the election, had stopped Dover suffering gridlock.

Lories no longer simply plough straight into the town. The next step is securing proper lorry parks and a full advance check-in system to manage lorry flows. Some say we don't need lorry parks. I disagree. After last week, you have to be very out of touch to think they aren't necessary. We need the extra capacity whenever there are problems at the port or tunnel, to stop the M20 turning into a car park.

Yet there is another way forward. It's time we looked at alternatives to Calais for cross-Channel links. For too long, our area has been held to ransom every time there are problems in Calais. We need resilience in our trading links. So I have been making the case to ministers for the expansion of Dunkirk, investment in Boulogne and even that we look at Ostend in Belgium to provide alternative Channel ports. It would secure our trade links and provide other options when there are problems at Calais. The existence of alternatives should change behaviour at Calais.

The Dover ferry link is vital for the UK's economy. Dover deals with a staggering £100billion in freight every year, and around 80 per cent of that trade currently moves directly to Calais. The recent disruption cost our economy £1billion. Some think we need to invest more at Calais. That is short-sighted. We need to see more resilience with investment at alternative Channel ports.

It's easy to stick with Calais. But the problems are increasingly severe. So we need to consider how to get investment for alternative Channel ports to bring them up to scratch for cross-Channel trade.

I will keep making the case to the Government to find alternatives. When there are problems at Calais, Kent should not come to a standstill.

Best wishes
Charlie





Monday, 13 July 2015 - 06:49

 

Post 2184

  Ed Connell, Dover

Malo Seaways conducting berthing trials in Dunkerque West on Friday.


Dunkerque pilot landing on a cargoship in the Dunkerque waiting area on Saturday.


Cargoship Polarlight at the DCT today.


Sunday, 12 July 2015 - 15:46

 

Post 2183

  Sea News, Dover

Something of a natural phenomenon has been going on over the past few days. The harbour is full of mackerel, literally shoals of mackerel... dashing here and there, flitting too and fro. Local fishermen are reeling them in several at a time. One chap told me as soon as you put the line in you take it out three at a time...so there you have it. I don't know. But whatever the mackerel are feeding on has proved boomtime for the local seagull. The population is in near frenzy gobbling up what ever it is...always at the very waters edge. The mackerel obviously chase the food supply ashore...and the seagulls benefit.
The fishing boats instead of going out to sea today stayed in the bay to
"hunt the bonnie shoals of herring"...well mackerel actually but one cant resist a good song!

The little girl above was fascinated...so much so she parked her scooter.
And those below too....the lighting is late evening so a little tricky.


Below we have a picture of the ever so regular Braemar taken yesterday.

Back to the rough oul gloomy conditions today after an excellent three days weatherwise.
I don't want to start a panic but is that a shark in the water...surely not...



Nice pictures below once again Mike all round...great stuff...the ones with the horses were super-duper! PaulB.

Sunday, 12 July 2015 - 15:45

 

Post 2182

  Mike J., Dover

A little late, but a few more DISNEY MAGIC pix on Friday morning.







The ImmIgration cutter VIGILANT had spent the night alongside the DAVID CHURCH.



Another view of the ponies up above Eastern Docks, a very lucky encounter.




Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 23:10

 

Post 2181

  Sea News, Dover

Brilliant Ed - you got a bit of a scoop there

Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 20:13

 

Post 2180

  Ed Connell, Dover

Russian warship Smolniy passing Dover at lunchtime followed by Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey. The Smolniy is an elderly auxiliary employed as the Baltic Fleet training ship.






Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 13:08

 

Post 2179

  JanT, Dover

Some lovely pictures of the Disney Magic below chaps, and yes childhood memories of Jiminy Cricket's when you wish upon a star from Walt Disneys Pinocchio, as they exit from a sunny Dover harbour yesterday.

Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 11:01

 

Post 2178

  Sea News, Dover

The Disney Magic departs...



A couple of pix now from her departure last evening. As mentioned we had one or two blasts of the Disney anthem 'when you wish upon a star' and she was on her way on a glorious evening. Lots of people gathered to see her departure...both on the seafront and on the Prince of Wales Pier.

Thanks Stu...yes indeed lots more to come

On a more sober note to bring us back to reality...
Operation Stack Lifted – 11.07.15 @05.15hrs - Port very busy however.


Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 06:43

 

Post 2177

  stu buddle, Dover

Cracking photo post 1726. great work keep it up pleae.

Saturday, 11 July 2015 - 05:40

 

Post 2176

  Sea News, Dover

The Disney Magic


Brilliant pictures below lads...really ace. Cracking stuff for sure on a bit of a special day here in Dover..

She left tonight with several blasts of
"when you wish upon a star"

Good one Mark !

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 19:29

 

Post 2175

  Mark Rushton, Northants

I see that DHB will let in any old Mickey Mouse cruise company in these days....(I'll get my coat...)

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 18:55

 

Post 2174

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

Brilliant photos all round, the one from Mike captures 4 great aspects of Dover, the cliffs, animals grazing there, the docks and the great cruise liners that call here. Last evening Dover greeters were out talking to a group of Americans due to sail later today advising them on the must see places in Dover.

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 14:00

 

Post 2173

  Mike J., Dover

All the locals turned out to see the DISNEY MAGIC . . . .



Next time I'll take some apples to get 'em to face the right way.

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 09:05

 

Post 2172

  Ed Connell, Dover

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 08:21

 

Post 2171

  Vicmatcham, Scotland

Back today great ships calling in at Dover this year will get down there next week

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 08:10

 

Post 2170

  Ed Connell, Dover

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 07:54

 

Post 2169

  Sea News, Dover

A taster ! ....early morning sun...will aim to get more pix later. See post below.

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 07:21

 

Post 2168

  Sea News, Dover

The ultra spectacular DISNEY MAGIC is in today. Came in very early. A fabulous coup for the Port of Dover Wowser!!
Come down to see it....

Details on Operation Stack below.

Friday, 10 July 2015 - 06:03

 

Post 2167

  Sea News, Dover

A20 Traffic Management Measures
____________________________

The A20 traffic management measures are designed to regulate the flow of port-bound freight traffic and reduce the impact of queueing freight traffic forming through Dover during normal busy periods. When they were first proposed and implemented, the statutory authorities concluded that if and when Operation Stack is implemented, the A20 traffic management measures would be temporarily switched off with the traffic control of those vehicles being subsequently operated from Stack. That has remained the case to date.

During the past couple of challenging weeks, the Port has on occasion asked for a reconsideration of this approach in order to manage the freight flows at Aycliffe (on the outskirts of Dover on the A20 where the traffic management measures would otherwise regulate this traffic) as well as enabling quicker transit between the holding area for freight and the Port when ferries are ready and waiting to load.

The Port is entirely aware that there are genuine challenges to achieving this and fully understands and respects the views of its multi-agency partners who have provided such fantastic support throughout the period of disruption in France and its impact on Kent. We are also aware of the relief that the A20 traffic management measures have achieved for Aycliffe residents and Dover in general.

Whilst we wait for the ongoing issues in Calais and the regrettable ramifications of the actions of aggrieved French militants on our ferry operator partners to play out, it is likely that we will need these valuable A20 traffic management measures more often than not over the summer. This will help us to manage what will undoubtedly be a busy tourist season whilst seeking to limit the impact on our community of what continues to be a growing freight market.

So we will continue working in a spirit of close cooperation with our valued partners to look for the best solution to dealing with what still remains a challenging time for us all.


ENDS


Picture shows the line approaching the Port entrance a short while ago.

* *


UPDATE:Operation Stack remains in place @04:50hrs on 10.07.15
_______________________________________________________


The Port of Dover remains open for business with a full service operating to the Port of Calais with P&O Ferries and a full service operating to Dunkerque with DFDS Seaways.

Due to the disruption earlier in the week at the Channel Tunnel, the on-going situation at the Port of Calais and high volumes of freight traffic seeking to use all the Channel Ports, the Port of Dover would like to advise its passengers about potential traffic congestion on the M20. Operation Stack has been reduced but still remains in place on the M20 and is closed coast-bound between junctions 8 to 9 (holding freight traffic on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20). All coastbound freight traffic is being directed to join the back of the queue at junction 8 (Hollingbourne). Any lorries approaching the ports without an Operation Stack ticket will be directed to the back of the queue at junction 8.

Non-freight traffic is being directed to come off the M20 coastbound at junction 8 to join the A20 and should follow the yellow circle diversion route. Alternative routes are expected to be busy so please allow plenty of time for your journey.

Tourist traffic heading for the Port of Dover is advised to use the A2/M2 route, but please allow plenty of time for your journey.

Traffic is flowing and the Port and the ferry operators are working hard to serve all customers travelling to and from the continent. We apologise for any delays or inconvenience as a result of the traffic congestion and we would like to reassure our local community we are playing our part to keep traffic, Dover and the UK economy moving.

Customers are advised to contact their chosen ferry operator before travelling and consult the Port of Dover website (www.doverport.co.uk) or Twitter account (@PoD_travelnews) for the latest travel information.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, but this issue affects us all and together with all partners are working hard in order to resume normal operations as soon as possible.


Ferry Operator Contacts


DFDS Seaways
Freight: +44 (0) 1304 874 001
Tourist: +44 (0) 871 230 0440
Twitter: @dfdsseaways

P&O Ferries
Freight: +44 (0) 1304 863 340
Tourist: +44 (0) 8716 64 64 64
Twitter: @POferriesupdate

MyFerryLink
Freight: +44 (0) 1304 828 423
Tourist: +44 (0) 844 248 2100
Twitter: @MyFerryLink


ENDS



Depressing times...I know a number of people who have shelved plans to go over for fear of being stuck in Calais.
Looks like it is hard to be optimistic right now for the immediate future .. as you can see in the top release. PB

Very nice pic below Mike -- completes the sequence to perfection.



Thursday, 9 July 2015 - 15:33