yesterday voted a success.

Docks manager Mr. Ewart Lambert said the decision to shift container pick-up from congested Front Street to the east end of the docks had improved road safety and efficiency.

Mr. Lambert was speaking less than two months after the new methods were introduced.

He said: "Moving all these heavy trucks and containers off of Front Street has made it a lot safer -- and it's freed parking space, which is good, especially at this time of year.

"It's been very successful and a happy event for a whole lot of people.'' Mr. Lambert added that prior to using the east end of the docks, container trailers were parked on Front Street at night.

He said: "Because they were separated from the tractor units, there was no power to run lights. There was always a risk cyclists or drivers would run into them in the dark.'' He added that customers and truck drivers had also given the new system the thumbs up.

Mr. Lambert explained that the new entrance was nearer the loading bays and lorries did not have to worry about avoiding dock machinery when making a pick-up.

He said: "We can load two trucks at the same time and have two more waiting.

There's now very little waiting time between trucks and that's improved efficiency and productivity.

"So we're delivering more containers per day and in a much safer way.''