Glasgow Airport confirmed as potential location for Heathrow’s logistics hubs

Glasgow Airport is in the running to be selected by Heathrow as one of its Logistics Hubs locations – off-site centres for construction and manufacturing which will help the hub airport deliver its third runway.

The Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) is one of 10 Scottish potential sites and 65 sites from across the UK to have been longlisted by Heathrow. Once finalised, the final four selected locations will pre-assemble components of the expanded airport before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow, playing a key role in supporting expansion’s efficient delivery.

GAIA is benefitting from over £30 million of investment through the Glasgow City Region City Deal to deliver a modern, high quality business location and has the potential to become a powerhouse of economic growth for Renfrewshire.

Heathrow expansion is the first major infrastructure project in the UK to pioneer the large-scale use of logistics hubs which tie directly into Heathrow’s commitments on sustainability, by reducing emissions through transporting assembled components to site in fewer lorries. Heathrow has stated this approach will help deliver expansion faster, more affordably and will minimise impact on local communities surrounding the hub.

Ross Nimmo, head of planning and development at Glasgow Airport, said: “Together with the Glasgow City Region (GCR), we have made a compelling proposition for one of Heathrow’s Logistics Hubs to be located in the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA).

“Aside from benefitting from excellent connectivity including up to 10 flights per day to Heathrow from the airport, GAIA is ideally located to be accessible to the City Region’s extensive workforce and its skills base. The City Region has an enviable track record of successfully delivering major construction projects and GAIA will build on the existing manufacturing strengths Renfrewshire is renowned for. We’re looking forward to working with Heathrow as we progress to the next stage of the selection process for the Logistics Hubs.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “The Glasgow City Region is the ideal location for a Heathrow Expansion Logistics Hub and I am delighted the region’s collaborative expression of interest in partnership with Glasgow Airport has progressed to the next stage.

“The Glasgow City Region is Scotland’s economic powerhouse, very well connected with a highly skilled workforce, a well-developed supply chain base, and an ambitious programme for infrastructure and development, collectively making it the compelling choice for a Heathrow logistics hub.”

Heathrow Chairman Lord Deighton said:  “As the UK leaves the EU, Heathrow is an essential infrastructure project that will ensure Britain remains an open trading nation.

“As part of that, Heathrow’s third runway will rely on talent from all over Britain helping to create a national asset for generations to come. This means new procurement opportunities for businesses in every region, helping drive growth and investment into local communities in all corners of this country. Our aim, to harness the skills we need through long-term projects such as the Logistics Hubs and Business Summits, will drive jobs and investment leaving a legacy of increased productivity for the construction sector. The third runway is not a London centric project – it is one we are opening up to the whole of the UK, asking for its skills and expertise to help build an asset this country so desperately needs to safeguard its future prosperity.”

For more information on the Logistics Hubs visit: https://your.heathrow.com/takingbritainfurther/wpcontent/uploads/2017/04/Heathrow_Logistics_Brochure_25.04.17.pdf