China Gateway

China Gateway - Key Points
China Gateway - The Facts
China Gateway - The Players

The proposed development at Manston in Thanet, Kent is becoming a major issue. It is becoming an issue as the implication and disturbing details are becoming more widely known.
   The probable contamination of the Thanet drinking water (5 informative articles by Bertie Biggles) and the heavy lorry traffic movement increases are just two concerns. The traffic in and out of Thanet is already at a huge level and adding to a serious problem does not make any sense. These two specific examples alone imply a hidden agenda. To expose the entire region to contaminated water that not only provides drinking water, but irrigation water to agricultural land, and exacerbate an already serious traffic issue, imply the hidden agenda.
   It would seem that Thanet District Council, and by implication Kent County Council, are not revealing the entire game plan. There is nothing here that objects to a business partnership with China, but the implications and speed at which events appear to be forced through is of concern. Making noises about creating jobs for an area that could benefit from increased employment opportunities is a laudable ethic, but the Devil is always in the detail and reality does not seem to match up with the dream.
   The companies involved with importing 'goods' from China will be using Ramsgate and Dover sea ports and Manston airport to bring in the products that will be distributed from the China Gateway. The China Gateway seems to be just that: the access route from China and into the UK distribution network and act as the centre for a European hub. Chinese Business Guides - The information provided may be directed towards America, but the principles outlined would apply to anyone proposing a business connection with China.
 

Which way around: Chinese representation reached Thanet or contact filtered down from the UK government?
 

    It would appear more likely that Thanet has been targeted by the British government as the most likely location for doing international business between China and the UK. The whole issue then expands enormously to encompass interests far outside the area, reducing Thanet to the status of a pawn in the bigger game of international political chess.
   The term China Gateway is not new except in the Thanet area and deals with international trading. Concreting the entire area will produce enormous issues regarding drainage of rainfall water.
   Interestingly, there are noises being made about a planning permission requirement being necessary to introduce residential off-road parking for private housing supposedly because of the impact of removing any soaking potential and overloading the main drainage systems. It would appear hypocritical if this proves to be the case. Water will roll off the land from the high Manston area potentially causing flooding everywhere throughout Thanet as the drains will not be able to cope with the deluge. There are reports that ALL residential water usage will eventually be metered, not just new properties, in which case water usage should drop as the costs rise. This would play into the hands of the planners since more water would theoretically become available.
   Each of the seven greenhouses will require a service reservoir: Thanet Earth. This BBC video illustrates the scale of the entire project. Cynically, the water that falls out of the sky is free, yet a premium is levied that effectively amounts to a perpetual ground rent for use of the conduit. A charge is reasonable enough, but this will become a charge FOREVER supplying a FREE commodity: rainwater.
   Already, indications are being announced that could modify existing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) rulings that enable technically getting around problematic issues. In place are conditions that prevent building within certain limits to some businesses. Such a one is Theatrical Pyrotechnics. Comments like: "it may be possible to build slightly closer... if the buildings are constructed in the appropriate fashion" open the flood gates to forced alterations of existing conditions.
   The "disastrous implications" of the increase in traffic can be easily illustrated. The Phase 1 calculation, based on the travel plans of developer Commercial Group Properties (CGP), show lorry movements potentially reaching between 1800 and 2350 per day on the three main routes in and out of Thanet. These numbers could rise to 4000-5100 each day if Phases 2 and 3 complete. Should the development be agreed, it is possible that the A299/B2190 Mount Pleasant roundabout will not be able to cope with the increased traffic volume, especially HGV movements. Other entry points into Thanet will certainly be busier and will probably be over-burdened with traffic.
   Clearly, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council probably being pushed hard by government, don't care as money talks. The fact that Thanet comes to gridlock has no bearing. The staggering fact is that all the HGV movement will be snared in the same trap as everything else. It has the makings of a Westwood Cross nightmare, but an order of magnitude (or more - DA) greater.
   Allegedly, in distribution centres like the proposed China Gateway, very few people are employed and certainly nothing like the huge numbers bandied about. CGP wants 20% of the 'workforce' (percentages avoid stating numbers: 2 in 10 or 200 in 1000 are both 20%) to car share, 15% to use public transport (!) and 5% to cycle to work - all by 2015.

Seven years away
 

The development of the Fresca Group that becomes Thanet Earth is another nationwide distribution centre that will inevitably link into the access road system in and out of Thanet. A taster. Background comment can be read at Change Alley. If the Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the China Gateway project happen and are compounded by the Thanet Earth project, the gridlock anticipated will be potentially monumental.