THE chairman of the main campaign group fighting plans for a huge port development on the Waterside has appealed to residents to put up a show of strength when he has his final say at a public inquiry tomorrow.

Residents Against Dibden Bay Port, who have been co-ordinating the public battle against the scheme, will be making their closing comments to the inquiry into plans for a container terminal between Hythe and Marchwood.

Chairman Paul Vickers wants hundreds of supporters to show up to the hearing at Southampton's Eastern Docks.

He believes residents will suffer if the £750m scheme goes ahead.

He said: "This is the point where we can show the world just how strong the opposition is. We are running a petition and it has already soared to 13,000 signatures.

"I confidently believe that hundreds will turn up on Tuesday to put that message across."

Mr Vickers is set to tell the inquiry that the scheme is far too expensive to be viable.

Mr Vickers said: "For a start, the first two berths at Dibden Bay will cost £400m, whereas for four similar berths on the proposed development at Bathside Bay at Harwich in Essex, it will cost £300m.

"We have also shown that ABP have grossly exaggerated the need for the new development and they have under-stated the productivity improvements which are being made elsewhere," he said.

Mr Vickers is also claiming that the need issue is damaged still further by numerous alternatives elsewhere, which have all reached the stage of the planning process.

These alternatives include London Gateway - the old Shell Haven site in the Thames Estuary - and Hunterston on the Clyde as well as Bathside Bay.

All command considerable local support and predominantly use brownfield sites.

A major dredge, he said, was also needed along the approach through Southampton Water; local rail provision was inadequate and the scheme also went against the Human Rights Act.

ABP is also set to come under heavy pressure from wildlife groups who will claim that the scheme fails to meet the requirements of the European Birds Directive.

ABP has declined to comment on the matter.