An artist’s impression of the road across the Wash. (Image: Centre Port)
A £4 billion on the east coast of the UK could see a new road linking two counties across the sea.
The Centre Port would create a major new port on the Wash, including the new link between Lincolnshire and Hunstanton in Norfolk.
The new route would see journey times from Lincolnshire to Hunstanton reduced from 90 minutes to just 20.
The port, which would be linked to Lincolnshire by a dual carriageway and an A-road onto Norfolk – would become the first tidal-powered deep sea container terminal.
The scheme would be able to process around 1.5 million containers per year – with the site also creating tidal energy and helping protect low-lying areas of eastern England from flooding from the sea.
:
The road will link Lincolnshire to Hunstanton in Norfolk. (Image: Getty)
The port would be able to handle some of the world’s largest container ships, up to a capacity of TEU (twenty-foot equivalent, a cargo capacity measure based on the size of a standard 20-foot shipping container).
At least five shipping companies, including some of the biggest in the world, are reported to have expressed an interest in using the new port when it opens –
Lincolnshire entrepreneur James Sutcliffe said the port itself would create around 300 jobs directly.
It would also have the potential to create more jobs in the surrounding area, with major companies potentially building warehouses and distribution centres nearby to handle cargo arriving at the port.
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
The port could accommodate 1.5 million containers a year. (Image: Getty)
It is thought the port could be up and running as early as 2031 – although it may take several years longer.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “We will conduct investigations into the tides, currents and siltation, in addition to climate change enhanced storm surges to ensure that as far as possible the structure improves flood defence.”
He added: “The project is going ahead. We’ve been refining it for four years so far, which we have financed.
“We would really like to see the Centre Port project here in Lincolnshire because of the positive impact it will have on the whole of the Wash in terms of flood defence and, for Lincolnshire, a major boost in employment as well as supporting the need to cut carbon emissions.”