“There is a serious point at issue with the Port of Dover. Over 10,000 HGVs per day pass along the seafront. The road infrastructure is barely capable of taking the strain. When there is an interruption of service at the port due to bad weather or industrial action, the backlog of traffic produces unacceptable disruption for local businesses and residents. All established projections forecast a steady increase in vehicles passing through the port in the next twenty years. Clearly, something needs to be done. The Port of Dover has produced a set of proposals to privatise the port to raise £400 million to build a new ferry terminal, a marina and access roads. Whether the port is fully privatised, privatised in part or the money comes from government, Dover certainly needs the investment if it is to match the competition from domestic and foreign ports. Given the strategic importance of Dover, the increase in revenue from cruise ships and its proximity to the world¿s largest consumer market, it would seem to be a classic no-brainer that the port and surrounding roads should be developed. Since any borrowings by the Port of Dover under its current trust port status are ascribed to the Public Sector Borrowing Requirement, there seems little prospect of a government of any description robbing the NHS or education budget for the benefit of Dover. Massive though the sum of £400 million may appear, given the secure nature of the income streams, it must be an attractive proposition for a suitably wealthy investment vehicle. You might ask, ¿Why doesn¿t the government just print some more money and pay itself the sum now?¿ That would be foolish monetary policy indeed, fuelling inflation and counter to the independent advice of the Bank of England ¿ tempting though it must be. The answer surely is to find finance from the private sector but to put sufficient safeguards in place to protect the public interest, ensure long term stability, protect the employment conditions of current staff and ensure that the town of Dover receives a dividend which it can spend in the best interests of its citizens, workers and companies. Perhaps then we could have a port to rival our cross-channel neighbours and a retail sector of quality with the moneyed visitors and tourists to ensure a thriving local economy. David Foley.”

“Sorry, isn't this a bit hypocritical doesn't prosser work for a government that wants to sell the port of dover to the highest bidder to pay off their debts that they have run up in our name.

I can't wait til Prosser is kicked out and there are plenty in Dover and Deal including me who want him out.”

“Oh dear looks like the rattles are being thrown out of Harbour House, I to would like to thank Mr Prosser at least he has the interest of the people of Dover at heart unlike Goldfield and the puppets who can only see money money money.”

“Well done Mr Prosser! if only the rest of your party were as hard working and loyal to the working classes, Goldfield would have been sent packing when he first engineered the strike at the port of Dover.
If only Mr Brown would get his head out of the sand and listen to the ELECTED member for our area, then he could stop Goldfield and co from destroying the port and the town just to make themselves rich!”