Two sites at the Port of Garston in Liverpool are to be opened up for new development as part of a £5m plan by owner Associated British Ports. Tony McDonough reports
Associated British Ports (ABP) is opening up two sites at its Liverpool port facility, totalling six acres, for new development.
In a £5m initiative, ABP is to make 14 site around the UK ready for new development, obtaining appropriate outline planning consents, technical understanding and carrying out essential land preparation.
In August ABP said it had invested £4m in an upgrade of the Port of Garston, on the River Mersey in south Liverpool. It handles more than 500,000 tonnes of freight at the terminal every year. The investment saw the creation of a number of new jobs.
Originally built by the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway Company in 1853, the Port of Garston covers 65 acres. It has facilities for handling scrap metal, cement, steel, dry bulks and general cargo.
ABP, which operates 21 ports across the UK, says the 14 sites total more than 1,000 acres and the aim is to support the UK’s supply chain, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.
Chief executive Henrik L Pedersen, said: “Our ports – with their superb connectivity both domestic and internationally, together with established infrastructure – already play a key role in the UK manufacturing, supply chain and energy sectors.
“This initiative will enable a growing number of businesses to leverage our land, property partnering expertise and power capacity. We believe this can make a significant contribution to the country’s economic vibrancy and supply chain efficiency.
“ABP is a strategic partner for UK businesses assisting the country’s post-pandemic recovery, and achieving the common goal of decarbonisation.”
The Garston sites comprise six acres at the High Level North Dock and the 11-acre 1:40 site. Other locations include Hull, Southampton, Immingham, Grimsby, Ipswich, Cardiff, Newport and Port Talbot .
Next year will see the release of further opportunities. All locations benefit from strong rail and road connectivity plus renewable energy generation.
Bruce Robertson, head of supply chain and consumer advisory at CBRE, which is advising ABP on the initiative, added: “The country needs more distribution hubs adjacent to major conurbations with a good labour supply and which can connect into our road and rail networks. These ABP sites are superbly situated to do just that.
“The need for more warehouse space to fulfil online retailing – which is growing and was accelerated by the pandemic – plus ongoing labour shortages are putting unprecedented pressure on the UK’s supply chain.”