Local Lib Dems greet Newhaven Port sale with caution

12.55.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 29th Sep 2006

Local Lib Dems are hoping the sale will have a positive effect on ferry services.

Norman Baker has joined local Lib Dems in giving a cautious welcome to the news that Newhaven Port has now been sold.

He was assured earlier this month by Denis Bellinger, Managing Director of Newhaven port and Properties, that guarantees on the future of port operations and the cross-channel ferry service would form part of the sale of the Port. Norman is looking forward to seeing these assurances materialise.

In this meeting M Bellinger revealed that he expected the sale to include a 25-year agreement to allow the ferry to continue to operate between Dieppe and Newhaven. Norman is now hoping to work with Bannerman, the successful bidders for the port, to ensure that this is the case.

Norman says: "I am cautiously optimistic that this may well be the start of better things to come for Newhaven Port. The port needs significant investment and the arrival of a private sector conglomerate with port expertise, prepared to exploit the planning potential of port land is probably the best way to achieve this."