The two schemes would provide a major boost to the British Government's ambitious Thames Gateway Regeneration Initiative, creating up to 16,500 new jobs in an area also earmarked for significant new housing schemes.

Some 14,500 of those jobs would be at the brownfield site Logistics and Commercial Centre, whose development could go forward even if the port dimension is delayed by continuing argument about environmental impact and national capacity requirements.

The Shell Haven site, with two miles of river frontage, has been used for port and industrial services since the 16th Century. When fully developed, the London Gateway Port would be able to handle 3.5 million TEU per annum and would be the closest deepwater box terminal to London. Estimates suggest a quarter of all boxes imported through London Gateway would have a final destination within 25 miles of the site. The proposal also provides for a ro-ro facility able to handle two vessels with stern/bow loading.

Shell is undertaking a £50m clearance of the site which will be completed this summer, with clean-up completed by the end of 2004. Some 80,000 tonnes of steel has already been removed yet less than 5% of site surface soil has required treatment. Public Inquiries are expected to be completed this summer. If successful, works will begin next year as the site preparation is completed.

MJ Information No: 18008