Port bosses today pledged to push forward with £300m development proposals for Teesport but warned expansion of southern ports could scupper its plans.
Middlesbrough firm PD Ports is planning to build a £300m deep sea container terminal at Teesport which could create 7,000 jobs in the local economy.
A delegation from the company and Teesside MPs yesterday met ports minister Stephen Ladyman MP to press the company's case.
PD Ports has called on the Government to give priority to its proposals over planned development of three southern ports to help bridge the £30bn North-South divide.
But any lingering hopes that ministers would step in to hold back southern developments were quashed by the minister who said such action would be illegal.
The Department for Transport said this week it was minded to approve plans for a London Gateway port and will rule on two further ports later this year.
Graham Roberts, PD Ports chief executive, said: "The meeting was helpful in giving us encouragement to move forward with our planning as quickly as possible.
"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."
Redcar's MP Vera Baird, who led the delegation, said the results had been "positive".
She said: "We found it very helpful and the Minister left us in no doubt that he felt the scheme should press ahead.
"Stephen Ladyman told us he was very sure that despite the other port proposals there was still scope for the Teesport plans and he indicated that they should proceed as quickly as possible."
