DOCKWORKERS' unions in Southampton have welcomed port operator ABP's decision to ditch plans to sell land at Town Quay.

However opposition leaders at Southampton City Council have voiced their concerns over the move saying the city was now in a period of "uncertainty" over plans to reconnect the city with its waterfront.

Last week, the Daily Echo exclusively revealed how Associated British Ports shelved proposals to sell land at Town Quay for £25m because it wants to concentrate on growing the port.

The decision leaves major question marks over the city council's flagship plans for development of the Royal Pier site adjacent to Town Quay.

It also raises once again, the question of whether the Southampton Boat Show is secure.

Richard Crease the Transport and General Workers' Union regional delegate for the docks told the Daily Echo that the union "fully supported" the decision by ABP owners not to sell the land.

He said: "This is port related land and Southampton has many jobs which are related to the port.

"The port sustains jobs for around 10,000 people. We also welcome the expansion of the port and the expansion of the container terminals."

However City Council Conservative Group Deputy Leader Councillor Royston Smith said he believed that the new owners of ABP would now be looking at every aspect of their property portfolio - including whether they wanted to redevelop Royal Pier for leisure use. He said: "I think that we have to work on the assumption that this puts a question mark over it until we know one way or another what they intend to do."

City Council Labour Group leader Councillor June Bridle added: "I think at this moment in time, ABP are in a period of transition with their new owners. You have to ask them where they are in terms of their development of land.

Change "We are in a period of change. It would not be fair to say we don't know what is going on but we are in a period of seeking clarity. At this moment, we are not completely sure where they are going."

It is not the first time that plans to redevelop the waterfront have been scuppered by ABP.

The company triggered a major row with the city council when it pulled out of the scheme last year, saying it was not a developer and wanted to concentrate on core port activity.

Since then, the council has scaled down its plans but these too, could now be under threat.

This latest change of heart by ABP follows the company's multi-billion-pound takeover by a consortium of financiers earlier this year.