Heathrow Airport, in London, UK, announced that 18 sites across the UK have been shortlisted as potential locations for Logistics Hubs to support the construction of a third runway, including three projects supported by Associated British Ports (ABP).
The three projects under ABP’s responsibility are the Port of Cardiff, the Ayrshire Logistics Hub in Scotland and British Steel’s Briggs Road site in Scunthorpe.
Since ABP has a network of 21 ports in many locations, it is in the ideal place to support major nationwide infrastructure projects.
Matthew Kennerley, ABP Director South Wales commented
ABP’s Port of Cardiff is well-located and well-connected, offering customers robust and efficient supply chain solutions capable of supporting major infrastructure projects and other business needs.
Meanwhile, Simon Bird, Regional Director of ABP Humber, discussed the selection of the Briggs Road site, saying that the Humber ports will gain many advantages from the region’s superb transport links, such as the direct rail link between the Immingham operations and British Steel in Scunthorpe, which would provide a first-class route from ports around the world into the hub and the rest of the UK.
Moreover, another supporter of the third runway will be the Ayrshire Logistics Hub, a joint venture between ABP, Glasgow Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council.
The Hub announced that it will play a role in the runway by pre-assembling components offsite and transporting them in ‘consolidated loads’.
ABP’s Ports of Ayr and Troon are committed to supporting the project led by Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council.
… said Stuart Cresswell, ABP’s Port Manager at Ayr.
He continued that the location and the port’s infrastructure provides a variety of air, rail, and sea options to any project and opportunities for close working relationships with local business.
Concluding, the next stage of the selection is planned to take place in Autumn 2018, prior to the final logistics hubs are chosen next year ahead of the 2021 construction start date.
