King's Lynn Docks

King's Lynn Docks are located to the north of the town of King's Lynn in the English county of Norfolk.[1] They are on the River Great Ouse which provides access to the North Sea via the Lynn Channel and The Wash. They are located 39 miles (63 km) north of Cambridge, 40 miles (64 km) west of Norwich and 92 miles (148 km) north of London on the A1078 Edward Benefer Way.

King's Lynn Docks
Port of King's Lynn
Pilot Boat at the entrance to King's Lynn Dock
King's Lynn Docks within Norfolk
Location
CountryEngland
LocationKing's Lynn, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk
Coordinates52.7608°N 0.3918°E / 52.7608; 0.3918
Details
Operated byPort of King's Lynn
Owned byABP (Jersey) Ltd

The docks are operated as the Port of King's Lynn by Associated British Ports. It handles around 400,000 tonnes of cargo per year, including forest products, agribulk and manufacturing and recycling materials.[2] Three docks, including the tidal Riverside Quay, can accommodate vessels up to 140 metres (460 ft) in length.[2] The docks cover an area of 39 hectares (96 acres) and include the 25,000 tonne capacity Alexandra Grain Silo complex.[2]

History

In the 13th century King's Lynn was one of England's most important ports. It attracted traders from the Hanseatic League trading for wool, cloth and salt.[3]

The port infrastructure developed in the 19th century following the formation of a docks and railway company in 1865. This built the Alexandra Dock which was completed in 1869 and linked by rail in 1870. By 1876 over 500 ships were using the new dock each year.[4] The larger Bentinck Dock with a length of 800 metres (2,600 ft) was opened in 1883.[2][4] The port has traditionally relied on exporting agricultural produce for the bulk of its traffic.[4]

The docks are on the A1078 road and linked via this and the A148 road through King's Lynn to the main A47 trunk road to the south of the town. This provides links to the A17 and A1 roads to the west. Other main roads connect the port to the M11 motorway and A14 trunk road at Cambridge, providing links to the UK motorway network.[2]

The nearest railway station is King's Lynn railway station on the Fen Line which runs between King's Lynn, Ely and Cambridge and provides links to London King's Cross and London Liverpool Street stations. The port had a railway link to this line in the 19th century,[4] the last elements of which were closed in the 1990s.[5]

Seafarers' welfare

The port now has a dedicated centre, set up by the Apostleship of the Sea, for visiting seafarers. The facility offers them a place to relax, and spend some quiet time, with free internet connection for them to use. It was opened on 17 November 2014 by Bishop Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia. The centre is largely-funded by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and the site on which it was built was provided by Associated British Ports.

References
  1. OS Explorer Map 23” (Edition A 1997) – “Norfolk Coast West. ISBN 0-319-21725-6.
  2. , Associated British ports. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  3. King's Lynn Haseatic Trail, Visit East Anglia. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  4. The King's Lynn Docks Archived 16 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Norfolk Museum Service, Norfolk County Council. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  5. Comment: Stuart Corrigan says Lynn to Norwich line should be reopened, Lynn News, 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
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