Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Former site of the Dover Hoverport in the Western Docks. The port was open between 1978 and 2005 and consisted of the terminal building, apron and ramp. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information).

Monument Types

• HOVERCRAFT TERMINAL (Modern - 1978 AD to 2005 AD)

Full description

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Former site of the Dover Hoverport in the Western Docks. The port was open between 1978 and 2005 and consisted of the terminal building, apron and ramp. The Terminal building was located at the landward side of the Hoverport. It was a two storey brick built building in a typical 1970's style, the building has now been demolished. The apron was the platform for hovercraft to embark passengers and be routinely maintained, there being no hanger-like facility on site. It is formed of more than 225 rectangular concrete slabs covering an area of approximately 6250m square. These are laid down on reclaimed land composed mostly of sand from the Goodwin Sands built up on the chalk bedrock. The perimeter of the apron is formed to the north east by the Prince of Wales Pier and to the south -west by north pier. Its sides are formed using sheet piling down to bedrock. The apron has been repaired over the years, a full record of which is maintained by Dover Harbour board. The ramp structure is formed of smaller staggered concrete tiles and covers an area of approximately 2800m square. The sides of the ramp slope away at an angle of 45 degrees and form a buffer that was designed to limit damage to the hovercraft skirt. On top of the north east side of the ramp against the Prince of Wales Pier, the SeaCat jetty is a recent addition. This gantry extends out below the low water mark and is supported and reinforced at the ramp end by the seawall built if large boulders lying directly on the ramp and apron surface. (1)

Listing decision notice for the Hoverport and associated structures; the features remain un-listed. (2)

Description of the hoverport and the impacts of the Dover Western Docks Revival Scheme upon it. (3-5)

<1> Maritime Archaeology, 2007, Dover Hoverport Terminal: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE24841.

<2> English Heritage, 2009, Listing Decision Notices, Granville Dock, Hoverport, North Pier, South Pier and Dunkirk Jetty (Unpublished document). SKE32052.

<3> Royal Haskoning, 2016, Dover Western Docks Revival Scheme, Combined Design and Access and Heritage Statement (Unpublished document). SKE31744.

<4> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 -EIA: Historic environmental assessment report (Unpublished document). SKE29382.

<5> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Hoverport Terminal Historic Environment Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE32024.

Sources and further reading

Related records