Council reveals new strategy to maximise port

QUEST FOR HIGH-PROFILE JOBS IS KEY TO STRATEGY

- WILLIAM TELFORD

AMBITIONS to unleash Plymouth's full potential as a major international port are to be set out in a new strategy announced by the city council's leader.

Tory supremo Cllr Richard Bingley said the strategy will explore how Plymouth can maximise the combined potential of its four statutory ports.

These support defence, through Europe's largest naval base at Devonport, and international commercial operations at Cattedown, and include gold-star marinas and marine autonomy, fishing at Sutton Harbour, and leisure and commercial activities at Millbay. The ports are already important to Plymouth's economy but Cllr Bingley said there's huge potential to create more high-value jobs, increase the city's economic resilience, attract further Government investment and make a positive impact on the city's carbon footprint.

He said: "In order to achieve a genuine international ocean city reputation, we need to be fully coordinated as port partners to maximise all future business sector and Government investment. Plymouth is already the biggest and most diverse port in the South West and supports a significant amount of international trade.