DP World breaks ground on £15 million welfare facility for HGV drivers using Port of Southampton

Work has started on a new £15 million welfare facility for drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using the Port of Southampton.

When complete, DP World says the amenities will include a restaurant, café, bathrooms and showers.

More than 120 lorries will be accommodated with 24-hour security.

Photovoltaics will be installed on the facility’s roof to generate solar energy in addition to the installation of a greywater rain collection system.

Construction works are expected to take approximately 40 weeks.

As well as the driver welfare benefits, the 7,500 sq. m site is expected to alleviate residential concerns regarding local traffic and reduce carbon emissions.

Both were major factors in Southampton City Council’s approval of the development.

DP World is working with longtime construction partner Earlcoate on the project, building on their last joint venture creating a new slipway for the Southampton Sea Cadets earlier this year.

Jonathan Scott, Head of Engineering at DP World Southampton, said: “With our £15m outlay on this outstanding new facility for drivers we are investing in a vital part of the supply chain.

“At a time when the pressure to manage costs, maintain reliability and improve speed has never been greater, we are acutely aware that supply chains rely on people who deserve to be looked after.

“DP World is building a unique array of assets and suite of capabilities, helping our UK and European customers stay competitive in a fast changing and unpredictable trading environment.

“No-one can match us for the diversity of our assets or the breadth of our supply chain capabilities and there will be more investments in the UK in 2024.”

The site for the driver welfare facility was leased by DP World from Port of Southampton operator ABP in January this year.

It is the latest project to be undertaken as part of DP World’s investment of a further £1bn in its UK operations over the next ten years.

The global supply chain solutions provider operates in 78 countries and handles a tenth of world trade.

• https://www.dpworld.com/

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