Friday, September 26, 2008

[the north] not featured in the superports


As one tends to do on a dull Friday, the UK Superports are ripe for investigation.

Felixstowe, the biggest player, rating in the top 30 worldwide, is set to go mega, with Harwich and the other Haven port, Ipswich and this was interesting. Shell Haven, Thurrock, is going to become a major rival, according to plans.

Dibden Bay, Southhampton, which ran aground in 2004, is now hoping to rise again but will Liverpool, scuppered by union action following the decline after containerization, ever rise again? Does it need to?

Whilst the nature of the docks on Merseyside were their own reason for decline in their inability to cater for new shipping techniques, it has become even more pointed that the major ports are clustered in the south-east corner of the country, not unlike most modern industry, such as IT.

Seems to me that the country needs to look at a situation where the only way to survive is to be within range of London. Take North Wales, where I am. It is depressed, for one reason, due to lack of transport infrastructure - a motorway or two - and unless this improves, the second factor - population in the area to take on the jobs - will also not improve.

Is there any serious plan to develop the North or is it to be as it always was?

10 comments:

  1. Hi James, I've not been commenting for ages, sorry! Nice to hear you're in north wales, if you'd like to meet up for a cuppa drop me a mail, link in my profile, good luck with everything,
    Bendy Girl

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  2. There are a few problems with developing a transport infrastructure. The major on being cost and whether or not it's felt to be worth it (Classic catch 22 no-one wants to build it cos there's nothing worth going there for because of poor transport links)The other recent one is the enviroloons trying to stop any and all ways of building anything which promotes pollution and or car ownership. Coupled with a cash strapped government you'll find it a cold day in hell before anything happens to rebuild the local infrastructure in any shape or form.

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  3. BSS - coul well do and welcome.

    QM - the transport infrastructure is the main thing, clearly.

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  4. I shall create sport in the North- Olympic swearing.

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  5. Uber - type the number 9 on your keyboard, dear. :)

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  6. hahahaha James!!!!!
    I have 3-6's in my birthdate and found charmap. I am all set!

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  7. Look at the EU map for North Wales, how it will be

    Nothing doing!

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  8. Yes the transport infrastructure is key, so I feel quite lucky living where I do, most places are accessible.

    I don't think that London is the only place to be!

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  9. Comes down to accessibility and cost in the end, doesn't it?

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  10. Comes down to accessibility and cost in the end, doesn't it?

    Yes, and we are approaching the time when cost defines accessibility. (hydrocarbons).

    Western Isles of Scotland are using wind and water power for elec. generation.(subsidised of course), but doesn't solve access costs.

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