Work to design and fit out the new marina for the Dover Western Docks Revival begins early next year.

The Port of Dover has awarded a £2.7 million contract to Solent Marine Ltd to carry out the work and it is likely to be finished in late 2019.

It will include pontoons, an access bridge for the 250-berth marina, fuel tanks and pumps for the fuel berth and pontoons and a bridge for the new boatyard.

Dave Herrod, DWDR programme director at the Port of Dover, said: “The appointment of Solent Marine Ltd represents another significant landmark for the Port and its customers.

“Whilst the exact date for opening of the new facilities has not yet been determined, it is likely to be in late 2019.”

Marc Simmonds is managing director of Solent Marine, based in Hayling Island, Hampshire.

He said: “The DWR contract is a very prestigious project and turns full circle as my father Victor Simmonds installed pontoons at Dover dating back to the late 1980s.

“This was a project I wanted to win.”

The existing 160-berth Wellington Dock will now become a 24-hour facility accessible through a new navigable channel from the new marina into the dock.

It will be served by a lock providing access of a depth of at least 2.5 metres at low tide.

The new marina development will also include finger berths for vessels up to 18 metres, fuel berth provisions and a new boatyard and boat hoist.

There will also be Wi-Fi, potable water, LED lighting and electrical power to all leisure berths.

The marina will be set within the harbour and borned by a 550-metre pier and adjacent to the new 750m Marina Curve development area.

That is designed to host a waterfront retail and leisure area.

The £250-million DWDR is the single biggest investment by the Port of Dover with £250 million committed to the first phase.

It is funded both provately and by the European Union and will also include a new cargo terminal and distribution centre.

This will create more space within Dover Eastern Docks for ferry traffic.