HEYSHAM Port is set to be equipped with a new £2 million berth following a boom in freight trade to Ireland. The new roll on-roll off berth will meet the growing demand from the ferry trade for services to the Isle of Man and Ireland. The expansion, which is expected to start in July and be finished by the end of the year, could also bring new jobs to the area if moves towards peace in Ireland are successful.

Trade through the port has already doubled in the past six years with seven sailings a day to Belfast, Dublin and Warrenpoint and plans are afoot to introduce a second ship to service the Warrenpoint route.

Trade cars and general cargo transportation pass through the five-quay port as well as servicing for the Morecambe Bay gas field.

The latest development is the third new berth to be built by Sea Containers which own and operate the port.

Heysham is one of three English ports owned by the company but with access to the sea at all tides it holds a great advantage over other ports.

Steve Lawrence of Sea containers said: "The latest £2 million development is part of our continuing investment.

"Between 1990-95 the port of Liverpool and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company received £6 million in European and UK funding but in contrast Heysham has received nothing.

"We continue to lobby the Uk and the European governments to address the question."

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