PM Salutes Tilbury2 Construction Teams

As the Prime Minister opened the UK’s newest port, Tilbury2 – procured under a design and construct contract – HBPW’s engineering team stood proud knowing that by working with Graham Construction, they played a large part in bringing the £250m mammoth project to fruition on a geotechnically challenging site.

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, visited the Thames-based port where he was given a tour of the country’s largest freight ferry terminal, which represents a £250m investment by Forth Ports Group, on the former 160-acre Tilbury A power station site.

In addition to the Port facility, which benefits from probably the largest jointless concrete hardstanding in the world “engineered” by HBPW, the project also includes what is set to become Britain’s biggest construction processing terminal.

When fully operational Tarmac’s construction materials terminal (CMAT) will use a bespoke 2km long aggregates conveyor system – and a railhead capable of taking the longest freight trains at 775m – meaning construction materials will be delivered efficiently from vessel to processing terminal, before moving onto public infrastructure schemes like HS2 without the need for heavy road haulage.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “It is an honour to officially open Tilbury2, the UK’s newest port, and meet with key workers and apprentices on site. Freeports are driving trade, investment and jobs right across the country and helping to capitalise on our new found Brexit freedoms. It is hugely welcome to see the Port of Tilbury going from strength to strength benefiting not only businesses and workers, but also the wider Thames Gateway region.”

Commenting on the visit and official opening of Tilbury2, Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “Tilbury2 is a national success story: British financed and British built for a rapidly growing British company. The burgeoning logistics cluster at Tilbury has been boosted by Thames Freeport status, and is primed to be part of global Britain’s future as we look to drive forward sustainable growth, with manufacturing, next generation logistics and clean energy generation at its heart.”