Citation and commencement

1. This Order may be cited as the Free Zone (Port of Sheerness) Designation Order 1994 and shall come into force on 16th November 1994.

Designation of area as a free zone

2.-(1) An area of 283 acres, in the Borough of Swale in the County of Kent, shown enclosed by a red line on a map (in this article referred to as "the map"), being of a scale of 1:2500, signed by a Collector of Customs and Excise and dated 10th August 1994, shall be a free zone.

(2) The map shall be kept by the Commissioners at their Headquarters, New King's Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PJ and a copy thereof at the offices of the responsible authority.

(3) The map or a copy thereof may, on application, be inspected by members of the public at reasonable hours without charge.

Appointment of responsible authority

3. The responsible authority for the free zone shall be Medway Ports Limited whose Registered Office is at Dockyard House, Sheerness Docks, Sheerness, Kent ME12 1RX.

Period of validity of Order

4. This Order shall have effect for a period of 10 years from the date of coming into force.

Conditions imposed on responsible authority

5. The responsible authority shall not permit the area designated by this Order to function as a free zone before the Commissioners are satisfied that the area is secure and have so notified the responsible authority in writing.

6. The responsible authority shall-

(a)maintain an office in the free zone or at such other place as the Commissioners may allow at which shall be kept any records, for which the responsible authority is responsible, relating to the free zone and the business carried on therein;

(b)keep separate accounts in connection with the free zone;

(c)provide such information in connection with the free zone and the operation thereof to any person authorised by the Treasury, as that person may reasonably require;

(d)provide, free of expense to the Crown, such accommodation and facilities including furniture, fittings and equipment as the Commissioners may reasonably require and such accommodation and facilities shall be properly maintained, heated, lighted, ventilated and kept clean by the responsible authority;

(e)provide, free of expense to the Crown, such area of land within the free zone as the Commissioners may reasonably require for the examination of goods and vehicles and shall provide and maintain such appliances and afford such other facilities which are reasonably necessary to enable an account to be taken of any goods or make any examination or search.

Health and safety

7. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of persons occupying premises within the free zone, the responsible authority shall ensure that the working conditions within the free zone are safe and without risk to the health and safety of persons employed by the Commissioners and shall comply with any requirements concerning health and safety imposed by any competent authority.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order designates an area of 283 acres at the Port of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, Swale, in Kent as a free zone. It appoints the responsible authority and imposes obligations upon that authority relating to the operation of the zone.

The designated area can be identified by the port perimeter fence line which runs from a point to the east of the main road access to the port northwards to the Thames Estuary and then follows the coastline westwards to Garrison Point Fort which incorporates berth 10. The perimeter then runs south along the River Medway coastline, incorporating berths 11, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the area known as Lappel Bank, to a point just to the north of Westminster Sluice where it turns east towards the A249. The perimeter then turns northwards to follow the port perimeter fence line at the rear of the pumping station and gasholder station and then continues north along the A249, running past the main rail access point to the port and then turns east through Bluetown to the point where it meets the main road access to the port.