Weston Soroptimists enjoyed a fascinating visit to Portbury and Avonmouth docks, travelling on a coach accompanied by a representative of the Bristol Port company who recounted the history of the port and explained what we were seeing.
It was surprising to hear that 95% of all goods imported into the UK come through a port and, thanks to the formation of the privately owned Bristol port company, Avonmouth and Portbury docks together comprises one of the UK’s major ports. It is the only deep water port with both road and rail links in all directions. It covers 2,600 acres and is responsible for over 10,000 jobs in the area.
Interesting facts:
- 27% of Heathrow’s aviation fuel requirement is delivered from Portbury and is pumped there through underground pipes.
- Each year the docks handle over 600,000 cars and other motor vehicles and there can be 96,000 on site.
- 25% of all animal feed imports are handled and stored in vast grain silos, through one of which the coach drove.
- The European Juice Terminal deals with concentrated orange juice from Brazil
- Scrap metal is broken down, exported and returned as car components.
- A deep sea container dock is planned which will increase the capacity from 3,000 to 15,000 containers
A deeply impressed group of Soroptimists (and Soroptimisters) then enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Priory pub in Portbury. Heartfelt thanks go to Ronnie Murdin for her superb organisation of the trip.
Melanie David
Publicity Officer, Soroptimist International of Weston=super-Mare