Heathrow is looking to pioneer the large-scale use of logistics hubs to build as much of the £16 billion expansion project offsite as possible.

The plan is for four regional hubs to assemble components offsite and transport them in consolidated loads to Heathrow as needed. 

Scotland is the only part of the UK which is guaranteed to host one of the new hubs, thanks to a memorandum of understanding between Heathrow and the Scottish Government.

The shortlisted sites are Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Mossend International Railfreight Park, Babcock’s Rosyth Dockyard and Forth Port’s adjacent quayside site.
Heathrow said the sites have showcased a strong base of local support, their area’s thriving supply chain, convenient connectivity links and the potential to tap into a skilled workforce.  

The sites have been selected from a longlist of 65, all of which were visited during a nationwide tour which concluded in the summer of 2018. The longlisted locations were then all invited to take part in a pre-qualification questionnaire which helped to determine which sites were best placed to be involved in the project.

In the autumn, the 18 sites shortlisted will now have the opportunity to pitch to the airport’s bosses for their chance to become one of the final four construction centres, to be announced early next year, ahead of work starting in 2021.  

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said: “Our expansion plans are progressing apace and continue to be refined thanks to feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. Heathrow is as committed as ever to creating a plan that delivers for every corner of the UK. Logistics hubs are key to achieving that. This innovative approach will be more cost effective, efficient and sustainable, helping to unlock much needed capacity quickly and responsibly.

“Logistics hubs are also integral to harnessing the skills the UK needs post-Brexit. We are working with other major infrastructure projects to see if they might also benefit from these hubs, creating a bright, new future for the UK’s construction sector. One in which we’re better utilising new technology and offsite techniques to spread the benefits of major projects like expansion nationwide.”

Heathrow Logistics Hubs – Longlisted sites