London Heathrow Airport has received more than 120 applications from sites across the UK to host one of four logistics hubs which will be used to decentralize the construction work for its proposed expansion project.
Heathrow will be the first major infrastructure project in the UK to pioneer the large-scale use of logistics hubs – aiming to build as much of the project off-site as possible. The hubs will work by pre-assembling components off-site before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow as they are needed. This method will boost the project’s efficiency and cut emissions by transporting components to site in fewer lorries.
Research by WPI Economics earlier this year revealed that integrating an off-site manufacturing supply chain into a major project has the potential to reduce the overall cost of the project by as much as 25% while speeding up delivery by up to 30%.
John Holland-Kaye, CEO, London Heathrow, said, “Expanding Heathrow is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to really boost growth across Britain – and not just with more capacity at the nation’s hub airport, but from building it. Over 100 communities across Britain have put themselves forward to host one of our pioneering logistics hubs and we couldn’t be more impressed by the applicants. Together we’ll build an expanded Heathrow – boosting growth outside London, leaving a world-class construction legacy for the UK and delivering expansion faster, cheaper and with less impact on our local communities.”
All applications will be considered by Heathrow and a list of potential sites is expected to be announced later this year. Suitable locations will demonstrate that the logistics hub will have a positive economic impact on the local area as well as good connectivity, access to a relevant supply chain, strong local skills, support in its region and adequate facilities.
In a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scottish government, Heathrow agreed that one logistics hub will be based in Scotland.