Associated British Ports (ABP) has begun construction on the first phase of the Marchwood Port’s ABP Solent Gateway development.
Sir Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, kicked began the 21-acre site development with members from Hampshire County Council, including Leader Cllr Rob Humby, New Forest District Council, the Solent Freeport, and UK government departments.
The expansion, which is supported by a £25 million ($31 million) investment for the first phase, aims to boost landside and maritime infrastructure, strengthening the Solent’s position as a key commercial gateway and improving the port’s capacity to support MOD activities.
The on-site development reportedly incorporates an ecological buffer along the port perimeter to reduce visual effect on nearby residential areas and to attract wildlife to the site.
Pedestrian and bicycle access paths to the port are also proposed, connecting it to Marchwood village. Congestion outside the port will be reduced thanks to a new site access within the port boundaries and enhanced vehicle management. It will also provide over 60 acres of biodiversity habitat off-site.
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Richard Parkinson, Director of Marchwood Port, said: “This multi-million-pound investment is absolutely key to realising the potential of the Port of Marchwood both as a thriving port and to support our armed forces. It adds much-needed additional port capacity to the Solent region.
“The development has gone through a rigorous Planning Approval process and is designed with significant features to benefit the local community and the environment.”
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Alastair Welch, ABP Regional Director, said: “Developing this connectivity is key for the success of the UK economy as a whole and specifically the 115,000 jobs and £8 billion ($10 billion) of value ABP’s regional activities, including ABP Solent Gateway, supports.”
“As part of the future Freeport, the modernised site will undoubtedly play a vital part in the complex mix of environmentally sensitive and economically valuable locations, here on the Waterside.”
