THERE has been an increase in the amount of traffic using the Port of Dover in the first three months of this year. Nearly three million passengers passed through the port between January and March, an increase of 15 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The number of tourist cars increased by 14 per cent to 427,000 and coach journeys by 32 per cent to more than 25,000. Freight vehicle movements, which last year reached an all-time port record of 1.7 million, increased by nearly three per cent in these first three months to 444,000.

"Even taking into consideration the fact that Easter fell in the first quarter this year, the tourist figures are very encouraging and further proof the negative effects of the loss of duty free and the foot and mouth crisis are now behind us," said Mike Krayenbrink, ferries manager at the port. "Freight traffic is showing sustained growth and is leading our investment strategy as we strive to increase capacity at the ferry terminal." There was also an increase in the number of ferry movements at the port during the three months, from 5,074 last year to 5,114 this year.