MP urges Parliament to unlock ABP’s £150 million investment for Southampton Port expansion

Labour MP calls for unlocking of funds to enable major infrastructure project to goahead
ABP's £150 million investment halted after legal challenge from rival port operator
John Denham, Labour’s MP for Southampton Itchen, has urged the UK government to unlock the £150 million of investment from Associated British Ports (ABP) that is needed for the proposed expansion of Southampton Port.

MP John Denham led a debate in Westminster Hall yesterday on the future of the port in a bid to unlock the funds.

The major infrastructure project has been held up ever since Hutchinson Ports, which owns the nearby Felixstowe, lodged a legal challenge in opposition of Southampton’s plans to redevelop berths 201 and 202 into a new 500m quay wall.

ABP argue that in order for the Port of Southampton to remain competitive with European and UK rivals, it requires the redeveloping of the two existing berths and subsequent dredging to allow access by the latest and largest container ships to the container port.

Mr Denham, said that work must begin in September in order for Southampton to be sure to remain competitive in the years ahead, and accused the Marine

Management Organisation (MMO) of “bureaucratic paralysis” and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of “ineffectual complacency”, which has helped to further dealy the project.

Over 800 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs will be safeguarded by the investment and over 200 new full time positions will be created, added Denham.

Yesterday’s debate on the future of the Port of Southampton also gave the opportunity for other local MPs from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to show their support for the project in Southampton.

“I think we have made real progress,” said Denham. “The Shipping Minister Mike Penning admitted mistakes had been made and he promised that the MMO would have the necessary staff and expertise to deal with the planning application now in order to deal with mistakes of the past.”

“He also sent a strong message to Hutchison Ports, the rival port operators, to back off from any future judicial challenge.”

“There are still plenty of things that can go wrong, but I feel that today’s debate has made a difference and I am grateful to MPs across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for taking part,” he concluded.