"I'M BACKING TEESPORT INVESTMENT"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 12th Jun 2005

Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East has visited Teesport and added her backing to their ambitious expansion plans. Fiona is also the Party spokesperson for Industry in the European parliament.

Fiona said "this investment would be excellent news for the Teesside area where unemployment remains too high. We also still have a big North South divide in the UK and bringing more freight into a Northern port would help to correct this imbalance. I am especially impressed by the environmental benefits. This is a brownfield site unsuited to other uses whereas other ports are looking to expand into greenfield areas. Removing over 1 million containers a year from the roads will help to reduce congestion and contribute to our climate change targets".

Fiona was accompanied by Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Redcar and Glyn Nightingale, Corporate Resources Cabinet Member on Redcar and Cleveland Council. Ian said "we really do need a national port strategy in this country. Our party is pressing the Government for this and it should be done before major expansion plans for Harwich and Felixstowe are approved. I hope the Teesport investment takes place as it will provide enormous benefit to the Tees Valley in so many ways".