Seven sites in the running to be Heathrow logistics hubs
SEVEN sites across Wales are in the running to be selected as key logistic hubs to support construction of the planned £17bn third runway at the UK’s busiest and only hub airport Heathrow.
The UK Government announced its support for expansion at Heathrow more than a year ago. However, the Department of Transport said it is on track to publish final proposals for expansion in the first half of 2018 ahead of a vote in Parliament
The airport hopes to begin construction in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025.
As well as the sites in Wales, there are in total 64 across the UK, including those in Northern Ireland and Scotland, vying to be one of the four hubs. There were initially 121 applications.
The seven in Wales put forward by the Welsh Government are:
Association British Ports’ port of Cardiff; ABP’s port of Newport; The Airfields, Northern Gateway, Deeside; Brocastle, Bridgend; Rhyd Y Blew, Ebbw Vale; Llanwern, Newport; and Tata’s Shotton site in Deeside. Once selected, the four logistic hubs will carry out offsite construction of the infrastructure for the third runway. Each of the hubs is expected to create a significant number of new jobs and boost to their respective regional economies.
It comes as Economy Secretary Ken Skates has announced Wales will host a second Heathrow Business summit in July. It will ensure businesses across Wales can find out about the opportunities available when building of the new runway starts.
Mr Skates said: “The construction of Heathrow’s third runway offers huge economic opportunities for businesses right across the UK and I am determined that Welsh companies will be given all the help and support they need to be right at the heart of this significant infrastructure development.
“With this in mind I am pleased to confirm that next year the Welsh Government will be hosting a second Heathrow business summit, with the specific intention of bringing large suppliers and smaller businesses together to help them secure some contracts associated with the new runway.”
Liz Maher, president of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, has welcomed confirmation that seven sites in Wales have been long listed as potential logistics hub.
She said: “We have many firms in Wales who are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities to supply the construction of the third runway at Heathrow, and having a logistics hub in Wales will help these businesses win valuable contracts.
“The Chamber of Commerce has been working with Heathrow for a number of years and over the coming months we will be focusing on connecting our members to the supply chain opportunities that this major project presents.”
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said: “I’m delighted to see seven different sites across five locations in Wales making the long list of potential sites for a Heathrow logistics hub. Their inclusion highlights the real opportunities Heathrow has to build networks and partnerships with Welsh businesses and our local expertise.
“The UK Government is committed to opening the infrastructure support channels to boost the Welsh economy. By supporting the construction of a new runway at Heathrow, we are sending a clear message to the world that the whole of Britain is open for business.
“Expansion of Heathrow Airport is the right move for Welsh companies, for Welsh passengers and for our communities. Let’s take full ownership of the opportunities this exciting expansion project presents.”
Chief executive of Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye said that over the longterm a third runway at Heathrow would generate £6bn of economic growth in Wales.