Green light for port's expansion

Capacity to increase by 25% at Felixstowe's container port

Plans for a major expansion of the Port of Felixstowe which would increase capacity by 25% have been backed.

The Felixstowe South Reconfiguration includes a rail connection and terminal, dredging to deepen berths, and the creation of about 600 jobs.

The government granted planning permission in 2006 but changes to the scheme have taken place.

Suffolk Coastal District Council has agreed the plans, with the work to be phased rather than done all at once.

The existing Dock Basin and Haven will be expanded by 28 hectares (69 acres) and an additional 3,000ft (910m) of quay wall will be created in the expansion.

Plans to dual four miles (6.4km) of single track between the villages of Levington and Trimley to expand rail freight have gone before a public inquiry.