BBC NEWS | UK | England | New evidence in port inquiry

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Friday, 6 December, 2002, 09:14 GMT

New evidence has emerged in a year-long inquiry into a new "super-port", just days before the public hearing is due to end.

Opponents of the Dibden Bay development in Southampton say expansion plans unveiled by a rival port mean there is no need to build a new facility.

Felixstowe, in Suffolk, plans to handle an additional 1.5m containers a year - equivalent to Southampton's entire current capacity.

Campaigners claim that means the Dibden plans should be shelved.

Sea traffic

The inquiry is due to finish next week.

Associated British Ports (ABP) wants to build a terminal on a 202-hectare at the Dibden Bay site, creating about 10,000 jobs.

ABP say a new terminal is needed to cope with a recent doubling in sea traffic.

But protesters want to preserve the site, which is a haven for wildlife.

Related to this story:
Fancy-dress protest over port (03 Dec 02 | England) Green groups have say over port (28 Nov 01 | England) Head to head: 'Super-port' plans (27 Nov 01 | UK) Green fears over new port (27 Nov 01 | England) Port will 'blight' national park (10 Oct 01 | England) Birds may curb port plan (12 Sep 01 | UK)

Internet links: Residents Against Dibden Bay Port | English Nature | Associated British Ports | Friends of the Earth | Southampton City Council
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