TEESPORT owner PD Ports last night vowed that no time would be lost in bringing forward plans that could create 7,000 jobs in the region.

Chief executive Graham Roberts made the pledge after meeting Ports Minister Stephen Ladyman in Westminster on Thursday.

PD wants to build a £300m deep-sea container terminal on Teesside that would bring goods directly to the North from the Far East - reducing road congestion in the South and revitalising the economy of the Tees Valley.

But three southern ports - Felixstowe, Harwich and Thamesport, have already submitted applications to the Government, which said on Wednesday that it was "minded to approve" Thamesport and would make a decision about the others by Christmas.

If all three are approved, Teesport's plans become unviable because the port capacity shortage in the UK will have been met.

But Dr Ladyman said he recognised the commercial role of the Teesport development - and officials encouraged Teesport to submit its planning application as soon as possible.

Mr Roberts said: "We are fully aware that the Government's recently-announced prospects for possible approval of the London Gateway port expansion could actually take some considerable time to deliver, particularly given road congestion difficulties in and around that area, particularly on the nearby notorious M25.

"We made clear to the minister that should he approve large-scale expansion at London Gateway and also at two other proposed southern ports, that we will have to reconsider our plans."

The minister was also presented with petitions of support from residents and North-East businesses.

The residents' petition contained more than 600 signatures, all stating that "the Government owed it to the people from the region to give the go-ahead to expand Tees Dock, thus creating more job opportunities".

Mr Roberts said: "We want not only our customers, but also local and national Government, to recognise that northern ports offer a real alternative and that further expansion for southern ports is not the answer."

l The Northern Echo is supporting the Teesport initiative with its Support Our Port campaign.