The government's decision to approve major expansion plans for the port of Felixstowe has been welcomed by the Haven Gateway Partnership.

"This is excellent news for the whole region, especially as it follows the government's announcement in December that it is minded to approve the plans for a new container terminal at Bathside Bay in Harwich," said Haven Gateway chairman George Courtauld.

The development by Hutchison Ports (UK)in Felixstowe will see the conversion of the port's original dock basin, an area used in the past by P&O North Sea Ferries, and the existing Landguard Terminal, into a new deep-sea container terminal

Mr Courtauld added: "We are delighted that this vital expansion at Felixstowe South has been given the go-ahead. The Haven Gateway is perfectly placed to play a central role in meeting the needs of the UK's growing import and export container volumes."

"Harwich and Felixstowe ports are separated by just a mile of water and are owned by the same company. This means that the two developments will have the potential to complement each other perfectly. They can be closely integrated, allowing for increased feeder operations - with the obvious environmental benefits of taking a large number of trucks off the roads."

The Harwich Bathside development will result in a container complex with 15 deep-water berths in a single location. It will create the only UK hub port capable of supporting daily container services to other parts of the UK. The increased use of these sailings will help relieve the pressure on the country's road network.

Commenting on the government's decision, Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, said: "The combined development would have an ultimate capacity well in excess of any other UK port, and will be able to offer an unrivalled range and frequency of short-sea feeder services to the main feeder ports elsewhere in the UK and near continent. Together with improvements in rail capacity, this will limit the impact of this important development on the local road network."

Pictured is Haven Gateway chairman George Courtauld