Well... as you are probably aware, the battle has finally been won! And Dibden Bay Port will not be going ahead!

Introduction
Dibden Bay is 240 hectares of open grazing marsh and mudflats, situated on the western shores of Southampton Water opposite the existing Port of Southampton. The area forms part of an internationally important wildlife haven noted especially for its diversity and the number of birds. It is also a 'strategic gap' between the settlements of Hythe and Marchwood, providing an open vista from Southampton, a wildlife corridor to the New Forest from the waterside and is one of the few remaining underdeveloped areas on Southampton water.

ABP
Associated British Ports (ABP) is proposing to build a container terminal on this site. This will transform an open area, home to wildlife and valued by people, into a large area of concrete and cranes, visible from miles away with year round noise and light pollution - not to mention the increased transport movements in the surrounding area.

The importance of the area
The area under threat is part of one of the nation's important wildlife areas, Hythe to Calshot Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), The site forms part of the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA), which is also a qualified Ramsar Site. The SPA qualifies under the EU Birds Directive because its is regularly used by over 20,000 waterfowl in the winter. Dibden Bay adjoins the proposed Solent and Isle of Wight Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which is noted for its maritime and coastal wildlife under the European Habitats Directive.

Potential Damage
If ABP go ahead with their plans at Dibden Bay, these are some of the impacts on the local area;

	Total loss of the foreshore mudflats
	Total loss of grazing marsh and of the 'strategic gap '
	Loss of foreshore views from Southampton - residents will have views of concrete and cranes instead
	An estimated 6100 vehicle movements per day of which:
	3700 container vehicles1800 employee vehicles
	600 support vehicles resulting in traffic congestion,
	Air pollution, noise and vibration.
	A 52% increase on 1995 traffic flow is forecast for local roads by 2011 24 hours a day, 365 days per year operation
	An estimated additional 46 train movements per day by 2011
	Noise and light pollution from port operations
	Dredging of the channel may cause coastal erosion, variation to the channel's usual tidal flow and the redistribution of sediments
	Increased disturbance to flora and fauna in the New Forest Heritage Area.
	Increased contamination and pollution caused by fuel spillage and leaks, the dumping of oil and ballast water, and leachate from anti-fouling paints
	Irreparable damage to nationally and internationally designated wildlife sites.

Resources
This passage is just a brief description of the Dibden Bay campaign currently underway. For further information, visit:
Dibden Bay Enquiry
New Forest Friends of the Earth
National Friends of the Earth
Southampton Friends of the Earth