A new town pier opens early next year.

The 550 metre structure will be the first part of the project open to the public for the Dover Western Docks Revival development.

Port bosses also said the new marina curve, next to the pier, remains on schedule to be opened in the last quarter of 2019.

Details were revealed at the latest Port and Community Forum, held at Dover College.

Port chairman Richard Everitt said Dover Harbour Board is initially looking to gauge footfall and from there assess the best plans for the development's commercial make-up.

He said the new Clock Tower Square was to be a “real focal point” of the new development, also confirming work is underway to transform Cambridge Terrace into modern apartments.

The new marina will include 250 berths for vessels up to 18 metres, pontoons, an access bridge, fuel tanks and pumps and a bridge for the new boatyard.

It will be served by a lock, while the existing 160-berth Wellington Dock will become a 24-hour facility accessible through a new navigable channel from the new marina into the dock.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke had asked port bosses to ensure that their would be bars, shops and restaurants at the new marina.

He said: “It’s great to see things moving forward apace at the port. Dover is finally getting the investment it deserves.

“The new marina is really important. That is why port bosses must do everything to attract businesses to the area. That vision we were promised must become reality.”

The £250 million Western Docks Revival Scheme involves redeveloping the former hovercraft terminal and slip into a cargo terminal, including two deep water berths, the new marina and pier, cold storage warehousing and public realm works.

The new pier will be the third on the western dockland alongside the Admiralty and Prince of Wales.