Gigafactory transformation on track as Port of Blyth becomes key materials hub

One of Europe’s largest construction projects reaches a key milestone, as the first train load of aggregate arrives at the Port of Blyth in Northumberland

This first 1,500 tonne load kick-starts the main groundworks phase of Britishvolt’s £3.8bn Gigafactory development. Coming from a quarry at Shap in Cumbria, it is part of 316,000 tonnes of stone critical for the formation of a stable surface to install over 15,000 foundational piles around the perimeter, within the footprint of 25-hectares.

Two train deliveries will be made each day to the port for the next 24-weeks to fulfil one of the largest single orders that Breedon Group will be making this year for main contractor ISG.

The Port of Blyth will become a key materials hub for the project, and once a stockpile of aggregate has accumulated, a major haulage operation will commence to transport the aggregate from the port to the site – a 1.3-mile journey.

A total of 334 journeys will be made every day, with one lorry load entering the site every three minutes over a 24-week period. This operation will remove many thousands of vehicle journeys from the main roads surrounding Cambois and Blyth, support 10 roles at the Port of Blyth, and local haulage contractors for the duration of this phase of works.

Rob Bradley, construction director for ISG, explained: “Logistical and timetable constraints ruled out direct deliveries to the site from the existing rail line adjacent to our site boundary, so we sought an alternative solution that would minimise disruption and support the local economy.

“The Port of Blyth is an ideal materials hub, with the infrastructure and logistical expertise to run this programme-critical operation, and this solution importantly uses skilled operatives that were facing a challenging future as existing haulage contracts were winding down in the area.”

Craig Woodburn, head of ESG, Britishvolt said “Building the UK’s largest Gigafactory is an immense undertaking, but despite the scale, complexity and pace of this ground-breaking scheme, our project team interrogates every decision… to maximise value for the regional economy…while also reducing the local environmental impact of developing a new site.

“The key milestones that have taken this project from a concept vision to shovel ready project in record time have all been achieved through consent and collaboration with the local community.

“We are committed to paying forward this belief and trust in Britishvolt by making the right decisions, not the easy ones, to ensure we create a true legacy transformation for this region for generations to come.”