FENLAND: Wisbech Port sees dramatic fall off because of credit crunch but still cause for optimism
COMMERCIAL traffic at Wisbech Port has seen a dramatic fall off because of the credit crunch. New figures show that to the end of December only 31 ships used the port compared to the 52 that the district council, who run the site, had forecast. This is a
COMMERCIAL traffic at Wisbech Port has seen a dramatic fall off because of the credit crunch.
New figures show that to the end of December only 31 ships used the port compared to the 52 that the district council, who run the site, had forecast.
"This is a reflection of the reduction in timber business which in the main is building industry related," said Councillor Alan Melton, portfolio holder for economic and business development.
At Port Sutton Bridge, where the council is responsible for management, the end of year number of ships totalled 204 against a target of 213.
You may also want to watch:
"Inquiries remain strong and most notably the prospect of Sutton Bridge being the offshore wind farm maintenance base is a strong possibility" said Cllr Melton.
"The credit crunch is starting to affect imports of, in particular, steel for the UK car industry which is reducing actual shipping movements in Sutton Bridge."
Most Read
- 1 Wisbech nightspot up for sale for £410,000
- 2 Pets saved in horrific rescue start to be rehomed
- 3 Cant's Drove loses 'worst road in the Fens' title
- 4 A47 to close overnight near Wisbech for roadworks
- 5 7 of the most expensive houses on the market in Cambridgeshire right now
- 6 Man with rare heart condition shares how free location app saved his life
- 7 CCTV released after shopkeeper assaulted in robbery
- 8 Threatening domestic abuser tracked and assaulted ex partner of 10 years
- 9 'Savage' attack left man without spleen
- 10 'Father' found guilty of murdering his teenage daughter
However Cllr Melton says the council's expanding yacht harbour at Wisbech is proving a hit and inquiries "remain buoyant including those for winter storage and for the Crab Marsh boat yard".
And he said seven firms had already signed up for the council's new Boathouse business complex alongside the River Nene at Wisbech and 14 new jobs had been created.
