Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3433

  brian, dover

well if you cant turn right into snargate street thats scupperd the bus servise to aycliffe

Friday, 19 August 2016 - 15:07

 

Post 3432

  Sea News, Dover

Next phase of key A20 junction work to get underway
_____________________________________________


The next phase of the A20 junction improvement scheme will start in mid-September as work gets underway to replace the York Street Junction with "smart" technology traffic lights.

The A20 work is designed to improve the flow of traffic in Dover and to maximise the potential of Dover’s key regeneration projects including the Port’s Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) and Dover District Council’s St James development.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "This is an important scheme for Dover and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience with the works at the Prince of Wales Junction. We’re working towards a swift completion of the works, and whilst there is still some inconvenience to come, this scheme will deliver an important link to the St James and Western Docks developments now underway."

Whilst the first phase of improvements to the Prince of Wales and Union Street Junction has made good progress, issues with underground services have resulted in a delay in completing the first phase.

Work will now be taking place concurrently on the Prince of Wales and York Street Junctions until November – when the Prince of Wales Junction will be completed.

Extensive traffic modelling has been undertaken to evaluate the potential impacts of concurrent work on both junctions, and the results show traffic flows as coping well, including with Dover TAP (Traffic Assessment Project). Procedures are in place to monitor traffic flows and to quickly clear breakdowns.

The work at the York Street Junction is expected to last until completion of the scheme in January 2017. The traffic lights at Woolcomber Street will then be upgraded before the A20 junction improvement scheme concludes in February 2017.

Highways England Project Sponsor, Kat Saradinova said: "We are working closely with the Port of Dover to ensure any disruption to drivers and the local community is kept to a minimum. Working at both junctions will reduce any potential delays to the scheme for the 25,000 drivers that use the A20 each day."

All partners thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst this key regeneration-enabling project is delivered for Dover.




ENDS

The Saga Sapphire was with us yesterday. The picture below shows her departure...however it was taken on a previous visit as thick mist/haze scuppered the picture opportunities yesterday at departure time.


Hopefully all can see the detail in the picture re the traffic plans at top. This is as large as I can go.
Because this traffic masterplan is so relevant to both the people of Dover and the travelling public, and of course to our vital freight...
we will leave it PINNED to the top for 24 hours. PaulB.
( now unpinned )



Friday, 19 August 2016 - 06:32

 

Post 3431

  Sea News, Dover

The AIDAvita languishing in the hot sunshine yesterday here in Dover...
picture taken from the blistering beach as the sail boats drift too and fro. She left late last night in the darkness in a blaze of light and under a stunning full moon. Quite a sight but unfortunately a bit too dark for pictures at range.



A couple of shots below show her arriving with us here at 06.30 yesterday.



Will have details following soon about Dover's ongoing roadwork scheme.
It has been difficult
...but, better days ahead.

Thursday, 18 August 2016 - 06:23

 

Post 3430

  Sea News, Dover

Following along from Ed's pictures of the Elsebeth in post 2970...here are a couple more to add to the collection. Taken at the same time as Ed's but from a different angle, here she is arriving from Vlissingen in the Netherlands yesterday morning. She is still at the cargo terminal as I write....on a blisteringly hot day on Dover Seafront. First following picture taken across the rooftops as it were when she was just outside of Port, second one shows her securely in harbour. PB.



Wednesday, 17 August 2016 - 16:06

 

Post 3429

  Sea News, Dover

Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon Awarded to Dover Harbour Board
_______________________________________________________




Port also achieves commendation for carbon management performance.

Dover Harbour Board is proud to announce the achievement of the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon Award for the fourth time after accomplishing an impressive 17.2% absolute reduction in the Port of Dover carbon footprint.

The Carbon Trust Standard is a mark of excellence that is awarded in recognition of measuring, managing and reducing carbon emissions. Successful certification requires organisations to demonstrate good all-round carbon management performance in their day to day operations. The Port’s performance was particularly high in several categories including Responsibility, Operating Procedures, Investments and Supply Chain Engagement where scores of 100% were awarded by the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust Standard is a two year certification and the Port of Dover will need to resubmit details of its carbon reduction endeavours in 2018 to retain the Standard.

Port of Dover General Manager Safety and Security, Emma Ward said: "This is an incredible achievement and I am extremely proud of all those involved. The Port of Dover Environmental Team has successfully led the challenging work to continually find and implement new and innovative ways to reduce the Port’s carbon footprint.

"As a responsible Port we will continue to examine environmentally responsible options in all areas of the business. I am confident the Port of Dover will continue to lead the way in this sector, realising another milestone in our aim to be the best Port in the world for our customers and our community."

Ends


Just to add a couple of colourful jet stream filled pictures of the sky above the Port of Dover yesterday morning at 6am on the button.
Just point and shoot pictures on a simple compact, nature did all the work.
A hint of the autumnals to come.



Thanks for the info once again Colette on the cruise visits...will watch for those, especially with AIDAvita due in today.

Nice pix Ed of the Elsebeth plus, right on the spot. Great stuff! I will be be able to add a couple of extra ones later as also caught her as she arrived from Vlissingen, but the light was behind her in my case so....

Yes indeed Del. very busy holiday period here.






Wednesday, 17 August 2016 - 06:25

 

Post 3428

  Del, Norwich

Happy Hols!

Tuesday, 16 August 2016 - 23:29

 

Post 3427

  Ed Connell, Dover

Elsebeth waiting in the bay this morning as ferries manoeuvre.



Tuesday, 16 August 2016 - 13:00

 

Post 3426

  ColetteB, Dover

Cruise Visits
___________

Firstly, Ab Fab photo of the 'Caribbean Princess' passing through Dover Mr B, I see she is on her way to our home town Dublin, missed the boat there!

Great photos from the Sea News team over the last couple of weeks as usual

And now for some more August Cruises ...........

Tomorrow, Wednesday 17th, the beautiful AIDAvita cruises into Dover at 08:00 hrs CT2 & departs at 21:00, PoC. She is on her 15day round trip of Great Britain & Ireland, 13th August-27th August. She is one of the smallest AIDA cruises vessels together with sister ship AIDAaura & AIDAcara (the first AIDA SHIP). Launched in 2002 & refurbished in 2014 she has a total of 633 staterooms & can accommodate 1266 passengers

The following day, Thursday 18th, the Saga Sapphire returns to CT1 at 08:00 hrs & departs at 16:00, T/R.

Then on Saturday 20th, the luxurious Seabourn Quest returns on a second & final visit this season, so a chance for more brilliant photos from the Sea News team. She will cruise into CT1 at 07:00 hrs & depart at 16:00, T/R.

I will be back with more August cruises from Thursday 25th



Tuesday, 16 August 2016 - 12:58

 

Post 3425

  Sea News, Dover

Back to the channel views now. Above there we have the super giant Munchen Bridge passing by an evening ago...all 155,000 tons of her powering down the channel catching the late rays of the evening sun. She had just left Antwerp and was on her way to Piraeus in Greece. Quite a sight...you should be able to see Boulogne in the background there with the Cathedral on the left just about visible. I take it she is a German ship as Munchen is Munich of course.

This one below is the totally fab Caribbean Princess passing by on her way to Dublin. What a ship..another stunner of gynormous proportions. She could have paused and sent a launch for yours truly as this would be a much better, a much more civilised way to get to Dublin than for example on the old Princess Maud of years ago. Twas a living nightmare so it was on the Princess Maud...all that rattling and shuddering and banging in the dead of the grim night...not to mention all the heaving. But we wont go there...
PaulB.


Wikipedia...

MS Caribbean Princess is a modified Grand Class cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises, with a capacity of over 3,600 passengers, the largest carrying capacity in the Princess fleet until June 2013 when the new Royal Princess, another Princess ship superseded its record. She has 900 balcony staterooms and a deck of mini-suites. She was the first modern cruise ship with an outdoor theater, which Princess bills as "Movies Under The Stars".

Caribbean Princess is slightly larger than the other ships in her class (Star Princess, Golden Princess, and Grand Princess), due to the addition of an additional deck of cabins called the Riviera deck. Another difference is that, being initially designed to cruise the Caribbean year-round, there is no sliding roof over the pool area for shelter in poor weather....


Tuesday, 16 August 2016 - 06:55

 

Post 3424

  Sea News, Dover

Residents Urged To Back Roads Plan
_____________________________


Dover District Council is urging residents to respond to Kent County Council’s consultation on its draft Local Transport Plan 4, and to have their say on proposals for making the A2 a dual carriageway all the way to Dover.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member for Access, said: "Recent events have once again demonstrated the lack of resilience in the road network to Europe’s busiest ferry port. This is having a massive effect on the lives of local people and holding back the regional and national economy.

"We must keep the pressure up on central Government to fund the upgrading of the A2 and making it a dual carriageway all the way to Dover. This would link with the plans for the Lower Thames Crossing which will see more traffic using the A2.

"What we need is joined-up thinking from Government to realise the potential of improvements to the A2, and how it can address future growth in port traffic, as well as supporting the wider growth and regeneration agenda in Dover and East Kent."

As well as dualling sections of the A2 between Lydden and the Eastern Docks, Dover District Council is also calling for improvements to the Duke of York’s roundabout, Brenley Corner, and the M2 (Junction 5) and M20 (Junction 7), the key points at which the two motorways intersect.

Residents can view the draft Local Transport Plan 4: Delivering Growth Without Gridlock 2016-2031, and complete a short questionnaire by 30 October 2016 on the Kent County Council website. www.kent.gov.uk.


ENDS


Some traffic related images here below from last week. They both show fire trucks in an obvious emergency endeavouring to get through the heavy heavy incoming. We had numerous occasions of ambulances doing or trying to do the same in recent days. Has there ever been a worse summer for traffic. The marginally better news though is...outgoing traffic has eased.




Our old friend Saga Pearl II arriving with us yesterday and here she is...with seagull posing manfully at great expense.
The chap just flew into the shot and added much needed life to the picture.


Nice picture below there Ed of Schweiz Reefer. Great colours. She appears to have moved away already.

Monday, 15 August 2016 - 07:05

 

Post 3423

  Ed Connell, Dover

Schweiz Reefer at the DCT today.


Sunday, 14 August 2016 - 16:02

 

Post 3422

  Sea News, Dover

POSTCARD FROM THE EDGE: The edge of the UK or the edge of Europe, or now sadly even the edge of the European Union. The top shot is purposely made postcard-like, it shows the scene across the channel on Thursday evening. It was a gorgeous evening for sure with great visibility as you can see, and it was the evening of those fabulous big ships.. as seen further down the page.

Have just come across this one in the archives from a previous year, thought it worth adding today to show the different way the same or similar view can look. This one more autumnal...from 2014.

PB.

Sunday, 14 August 2016 - 06:42

 

Post 3421

  Sea News, Dover

Nice collection of shots in the picture post below Ed ( 2964 ) of the Pacific Princess leaving. I took the following picture almost at the same time as you took picture 3 ...just the angle changes, more or less.



An extra one below of her arrival on Friday morn under a dazzling sky, I went for a wider approach to get the full sky on a brace of pictures but for some reason the pix didn't work out...I of course blame the camera, just like any good workman, its always the tools fault..

This pic below is a more standard shot and doesn't really capture the big sky.



Good story below there Vic, glad the fall didn't do you any lasting damage...no head injuries or anything like that. You were able to live and fight another day for sure. Quite literally. As a lot of new readers probably wont know, you actually went on to fight Frank Bruno.
Good one Vic

Although its wall to wall sunshine today, the beaches are quite empty. One can only put it down to the fact that there is a breeze powering through that would whip the skin of a rice puddin' or even take the top off yer boiled egg, or even make that ice cream propped on the tip of your ice cream cone take immediate flight.

PaulB

Saturday, 13 August 2016 - 16:00

 

Post 3420

  vic matcham, DOVOR

As always great photos and if we ever go away from Dovor that is what I would miss the most the great front we have and the sea, been here from 1942 now and I have seen alot happen to our town and sea front,When I was a lad trains were running along the front and I came off my bike when I went down into the railway line,I was behind the steam train and could not see anything and over I went.

Saturday, 13 August 2016 - 08:46

 

Post 3419

  Ed Connell, Dover

Pacific Princess departing by the Eastern Entrance this afternoon.




Friday, 12 August 2016 - 22:58

 

Post 3418

  Sea News, Dover

Here we are as promised with the huge ships.. making the most of the better visibility..
Above we have the ultra large Marit Maersk, all 196,000 tons of her, on her way to the very exotic Tangier.
There she goes above, with tug Dauntless in the foreground. The tug working with the Elvira just out of shot.
The NYK Hyperion another ultra large ship, not quite as big as the Marit but still weighing in at a whopping 145,000 tons. She was on her way to the only marginally less exotic Southampton.
. An extra one here for all to enjoy, similar to the previous pic in post 2956 yet not quite the same.
Glad you liked the earlier post Ray, this pic above an extra one for you to enjoy.

Thanks for the input Ed as ever. Ace man.
I've made these pix as big as possible so all can see well .. hopefully.
PaulB.

Friday, 12 August 2016 - 05:58

 

Post 3417

  Ed Connell, Dover

Re post 2959: The zoom lens is very deceptive. The two box boats in the background are actually travelling down the Southwest Lane and are over five miles from Dover. I was on the Delft Seaways crossing astern of them.

Friday, 12 August 2016 - 04:22

 

Post 3416

  Ray H, Dover

Re post 2956, an excellent post with the two container vessells racing down the channel but looking nearer to the camera it looks as though the Elvira was getting up close and personal with the Pide of Canterbury!
I realise that the camera angle may be playing games but it still looks close.
Ray.

Thursday, 11 August 2016 - 22:49

 

Post 3415

  vic matcham, DOVOR

Looks like Dover mp talking to himself

Thursday, 11 August 2016 - 15:22

 

Post 3414

  Sea News, Dover

Just in...from Charlie Elphicke MP




A New Dover Patrol will beef up our border security
__________________________________________


Security in the English Channel is not strong enough and needs to improve. There is a rising threat from people-trafficking by yachts and small boats. Meanwhile there are concerns that cross Channel transport should have increased protection to counter the rising terrorist threat.

There is no doubt that the cross Channel people-trafficking situation is becoming increasingly serious. Just last week, five Iranians were trafficked to Winchelsea in Sussex. Last year a man was running a people trafficking operation from France to Kingsdown near Deal. It’s increasingly clear that the case of the traffickers caught red handed transporting Albanians to Dymchurch is just the tip of a very large iceberg.

The National Crime Agency is warning of a growing small craft people-trafficking problem and has discovered an extensive people-trafficking trade being run via 200 social media sites. Last week the Home Affairs Select Committee reported that the increased security at the main Channel Ports has caused trafficking gangs to seek out alternative trafficking routes. Border Force’s ability to counter this problem has been condemned in a damning report by their independent inspector. But then it’s hard to protect the UK coastline when you have just three ships. We need urgently to beef up our defences.

A century ago the Dover Patrol kept the White Cliffs of Dover and the English Channel safe in time of war. Now we need to declare war on the cross Channel people traffickers with a New Dover Patrol. We need more ships on patrol in the English Channel. The Government should recall Royal Naval units patrolling the borders of Mediterranean nations - who have more border control vessels than we do - to keep the English Channel safe and secure.

France takes the threat of attacks on ferries and cross Channel shipping very seriously. So should we. It is now urgent for the Government to review its threat assessment and consider joining France in having armed guards accompany ferries – as well as review security arrangements in the Channel Tunnel.

Dover & Deal has a long and proud history of association with the Royal Marines. The New Dover Patrol should be led by the Marines as they have great expertise in countering people-trafficking and attacks on shipping around the World. The Marines have the unique set of skills required to do this job and we now need to see their skills deployed at home.

The strengthening of security between Dover and Calais has led to a rise in people-trafficking by small craft. We must now take control and stop the people-traffickers. We cannot be complacent about the threat from ISIL/Daesh and terrorism. We should join France in having armed guards accompany ferries as well as ensure the Channel Tunnel is as secure as we can make it. Finally we need to increase the Budget for Border Force and celebrate the incredible work our border officers do in working so hard to keep us all safe and secure.


Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal


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Thursday, 11 August 2016 - 14:39