EU Backs Dover Strait Sea Connection
The EU's TEN-T Program will back with over $16.25million the improvement of the sea connection between Dover in The UK and Calais in France.
The developments include better traffic management, berth enhancements and a new rail freight connection between Calais and southern France.
The project will focus on innovative solutions to adapt and enhance the current transport infrastructure and improve the traffic management across the Strait of Dover. The project's activities include:
- The construction of a secure holding facility for 220 freight vehicles in the port of Dover and optimisation of the traffic management to reduce the congestion in the port and its hinterland
- Berth enhancements in Dover and Calais for a safer, faster, more reliable and robust welcome of larger ferries to reduce their stay in port
- The construction of a multimodal platform leading to better links between the UK, the Benelux countries and northern Spain
The action will have a positive impact by encouraging modal shift and reducing the carbon footprint of transport; as well as decreasing road congestion and the negative environmental impact.
The project was selected for EU funding with the assistance of external experts under the TEN-T Multi-Annual Call 2013, priority 'Motorways of the Sea'. Its implementation will be monitored by INEA, the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.
The project is to be completed by the end of 2015.