Plenty of shipping and new trade (From Gazette Series)

Plenty of shipping and new trade

SIR - In response to the letter from Mr Lloyd Jones of June 18 I would like to bring a few facts to his and your readers' attention.

In 2003 there were 430 shipping movements through Sharpness. This equated to imports and exports of over 500,000 tonnes of cargo.

Sharpness Dock Ltd continues to be sucessful in attracting new trades, illustrated this year by the cargoes of timber imported.

I should also mention that Sharpness is a gateway to British Waterway's national canal system and 620 movements of leisure craft took place last year. Let's not forgot either the thriving drydock which attracts commercial ships from near and far.

In decribing the docks as a "wasteland" Mr Lloyd-Jones does a disservice to the many people that work to keep the port successful.

I can only hope for the sake of the Liberal Democrat campaign that their candidate is better informed on other issues.

Chris Howey, Assistant Harbour Master, Sharpness Port Authority, Navigation House, Sharpness Dock