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| Saturday, 8 November 2003 |
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Harwich - gateway to European continent by Chandani Jayatilleke Harwich with its sister port of Parkeston is eastern England's 'gateway to the continent'. From Harwich Quay the great continental ferries can be seen at close quarters as they set out for Holland, Denmark and Germany. A stroll along the esplanade reveals the busy harbour scene with huge container vessels heading for Felixtowe, Ipswich and Parkeston and the endless traffic of sailing barges, yachts and tugs and launches. On a recent visit to Britain, I got the opportunity to spend a few hours in this giant harbour site and also to enjoy exploring the narrow streets of old Harwich with full of character. The visit came as a part of Group Study Exchange organised by the Rotary International and the team consisted of Mohan Abeysinghe, Shanaka Cooray, Fayaz Hudah, Ishani Mendis and this writer. Port authorities took us on a ferry while describing the business of each port. Harwich is one of the UK's busiest commercial port areas. Harwich harbour and its rivers remain extremely popular for sailing and recreational activities. It is a flourishing port through which millions of tons of freight and hundreds of thousands of passengers pass every year to and from Scandinavia, Europe and other continents. Harwich Haven Authority recognises the importance of balancing the needs of commercial and leisure users and has been aware of the lack of landing and overnight mooring facilities in the Harwich area. Harwich is also Britain's main sea terminal for passenger service to Holland, Denmark and Germany and the huge vessels including the Dutch high speed super-ferry used to cross the north sea will impress many. The expanding port at Parkeston handles large modern passenger ferries with roll-on roll-off facilities and deep-sea container vessels. It is also a port of call for many impressive cruise liners during summer months. the excellent electrified rail service to London and many other key cities with direct connections to intercity services. These facilities have been a major attraction for ferry passengers. For the businessman, importer or exporter seeking office or warehouse space with easy access to EU countries, the area provides considerable potential. Harwich is not just a port. It is a town rich in history and full of friendly people. There are also many sites to visit such as the Maritime Museum, Light House, Life Boat Museum and Redoubt Fort. The town itself is a great experience to explore. There are many footpaths and cycle tracks along the riversides. |
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