Britain is bidding to build a bigger Heathrow for everyone

Heathrow has been shown huge support from over 120 sites across the country in an attempt to build its future expansion.

In April this year, the airport invited British communities to showcase how their area could help in this expansion by hosting one of four UK logistic hubs, which are key in Heathrow’s plans to promote SMEs and ensure all of Britain will benefit from this project.

Heathrow’s CEO, John Holland-Kaye, 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… [boost] growth outside London, leaving a world-class construction legacy and deliver expansion faster, cheaper and with less impact on local communities.”

This will be Europe’s largest privately-funded infrastructure project, and by promoting the uptake in off-site manufacturing on such a high-profile project, Heathrow is aiming to drive a step-change in Britain’s construction industry.

The project will also be the first to pioneer the use of logistic hubs, aiming to build most 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. This method is said to boost the project’s efficiency and cut emissions by such components being transported in fewer lorries.

All applications will be considered by the airport and a list of potential sites is expected to be announced later this year. Suitable locations will involve those accessible to a relevant supply chain, strong local skills and have support in their region and adequate facilities.

In a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scottish Government, Heathrow agreed that one logistics hub will be based in Scotland.