Hardy said the process of reaching a decision about these two issues was now underway within central government and was expected to take 8-12 weeks.

He said he anticipated that an announcement about both decisions would be made at the same time. The process of obtaining a Harbour Revision Order was proceeding well, said Hardy, noting that one objection that had been received had been cleared and dealt with in December.

Once public funding to meet some of the cost of building East Port has been obtained, East Port Great Yarmouth will seek private backing for the project, and release tenders for the construction work, which should start in the summer of 2005, if the project is approved.

East Port Great Yarmouth first published proposals to develop a brand new harbour at Great Yarmouth - which would be purpose-designed to meet the needs of expanding trade throughout Northern Europe - in 2002. The project will require a land reclamation effort and construction of a new breakwater to protect the harbour.

East Port will be situated at the mouth of the River Yare, and will offer a three times daily service between Great Yarmouth and The Netherlands.

The project has the backing of, and is owned by, Great Yarmouth Port Authority, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, and Norfolk County Council.