The construction of Great Yarmouth’s £50 million outer harbour will commence by the end of June.  The contract between International Port Holdings (IPH) and Yarmouth Port Authority was signed on May 29.  The harbour will promote Great Yarmouth into the ‘premier league’ of ports and will be a vehicle for major regeneration of the borough, boosting tourism and creating new employment.

Barry Coleman, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said:

“To say that I am thrilled is an under-statement. This is the best possible news for everyone who lives, works and does business here - it is hard to exaggerate the importance of the outer harbour to Great Yarmouth. The port at the moment is thriving, but the outer harbour will move us into the premier league.

“It has been a long time coming, and I am so pleased for all those who kept the faith over many years, especially those who have been working so hard to turn hopes and plans into a reality. Over recent months we have been inching towards this final successful conclusion. There have been times when this moment seemed as far away as ever, but determination on all sides has carried us through.

“There are many people who have helped us along the way, especially the EastPort team led by Peter Hardy. But it is also important to recognise the role of the Port Authority, Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. Without their unwavering support and funding, the EastPort company would not have existed and the outer harbour would have remained an idea left on the shelf.

“We are also indebted to the East of England Development Agency, and the European Union for their contributions, and of course to IPH, who have also shown their faith in this project and in Great Yarmouth.

“It will always be a matter of pride to me to have been Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council when the outer harbour became a reality.”

Richard Packham, Managing Director of the Borough Council, said the positive benefits of the outer harbour would begin immediately.

“This agreement will make people look at Great Yarmouth afresh, and what they will see is a town and borough where a great deal is already happening and even more is planned.

Add to that the enormous benefits the outer harbour will bring, and the borough looks like an extremely exciting proposition for investment.

Not only can we look forward to a rapid start of work on the harbour, there are many other projects that are changing the face of the urban area.

1stEast, the Urban Regeneration Company, is now firmly established with a focus upon the enormous potential of the extensive waterfront areas.

Beacon Park, is expanding in Gorleston.

And of course Great Yarmouth has been chosen as the site for a large casino.

These are exciting times for Great Yarmouth, and the outer harbour agreement makes the future look even brighter.”