to build a container port on the North Shore.

Supporters of a dock there say it could replace the present overcrowded one on Front Street, releasing attractive waterfront and relieving city traffic problems.

But opponents say a North Shore dock would be too exposed to the weather and could create its own traffic snarl-ups.

At present Government has planning permission to dump incinerator ash, mixed into concrete blocks, in Castle Harbour.

But a scientific report says Tynes Bay would be safer for the environment because any poisons from the ash would be diluted more quickly.

Works and Engineering experts have told the Development Applications Board that the Ministry will act on its permission to dump near the Airport, to create extra land.

But they added the Ministry may still apply for permission to dump at Tynes Bay and submit a long-term plan for the land created.

It is believed one of the options being considered is a breakwater or pier.

A Ministry spokesman told The Royal Gazette : "We've got DAB approval to put ash blocks at the civil air terminal, and that's what we're going to do.

"At the moment we're not intending to take up the Tynes Bay option, but we're still investigating it.

"We're trying to look at the positive aspect of the ash. It's really a very valuable resource.

"We're asking if it's better to create land at the Airport or at Tynes Bay.

"Is it feasible to create land at Tynes Bay, and if so what would we want to do with it?'' A container dock was one of "various options'', he said.

"Because so many people have raised it as an option it would be pretty silly of us not to consider it. But it's not the only option and it's probably not the strongest option.

"The scale and the size of it are very debatable, whether we need a large container port there or a single berth.

"I think we're a fair way off doing an evaluation of that detail.'' The spokesman said the dock idea was favoured by Marine and Ports and by highway officials.

"There's a general consensus that the Hamilton dock is tight for space,'' he said.

Both Tynes Bay and Castle Harbour dump sites were "very good'' options environmentally.

Both would have a "fairly minimal'' impact on ocean life and were "very much acceptable''.

"If anything, the Tynes Bay option is more favourable, but what you need to consider is the combined environmental impact if you create land there and use it.'' Pollution from boats, for example, could outweigh any environmental benefits of dumping at Tynes Bay.

Research on the impact of ash on marine life was still coming in. "I think we're just taking it slowly, slowly at the moment.'' Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said the dock idea deserved a feasibility study in due course.

The prospect of dumping in Tynes Bay was still being examined, she said, but if land was created there a dock could be one of the possible uses.

Traffic from the Hamilton dock detracted from the ambience of Front Street, she said, and sometimes hindered other road users.

A North Shore dock would have to be looked at in the context of alternative traffic patterns and the long-term "beautification'' of the east end of Front Street.