Urgent talks are planned over fears that a £1bn superport in south Essex could lead to serious road and rail congestion.
Shipping firm P&O and oil company Shell want to build one of Europe's biggest container ports on a huge chunk of land on the former Shell Haven site alongside the Thames near Stanford-le-Hope. The scheme would create up to 14,000 jobs.
Serious concerns are surfacing over the ability of roads and rail networks in south Essex to cope with the extra traffic generated by the proposals.
Thames Gateway chairman Andy Smith, in a letter to P & O, said transport and environmental issues had not been properly addressed.
Mr Smith, who is also leader of Thurrock Council, said the scheme had the potential to be a "terrific opportunity" but could only be supported if it was done "in partnership".
P&O responded immediately and the two sides are to meet later in the month.
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Published Wednesday, April 10, 2002
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