The Western Harbour housing development at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh is “going green” with a new proposal to significantly reduce the consented number of car parking spaces on-site alongside other incentives to reduce carbon emissions and plans to create an environmental education centre.

As part of its wider net zero agenda for the Port of Leith, Forth Ports has submitted an amended outline planning application to City of Edinburgh Council to actively drive the adoption of green energy and reduce CO2 emissions at the £250m development of the first 938 homes at Western Harbour. Planning permission for the latest phase in this development of one, two and three bedroom homes was granted in June 2020 but Forth Ports no longer believes that these proposals are sufficient to achieve its, and the city’s, carbon reduction aspirations.

The principal features of the amended plans are:

• Reducing on-site parking to 326 spaces from 570 – down 43%
• Parking levels will be significantly reduced from 61% as consented to 35%
• Replacing carbon intensive structures with centralised, electric vehicle enabled spaces
• Significantly increasing car club provision
• A unique “Go Green” Hub, including an Education Centre that will:
  • Encourage residents to join the green revolution
  • Persuade car users to adopt other, greener forms of transport
  • Facilitate E-cycle hire
  • Support E-car sharing
  • Publicise bus and tram options

The centre will aim to integrate information on domestic and transport energy use to give residents an overview of energy usage trends and costs, encouraging them to use the alternatives on offer.

Forth Ports is in dialogue with E-car sharing companies to design a package specifically for residents of Western Harbour, to tie into the “Go Green” Hub.

Charles Hammond, Chief Executive Officer of Forth Ports Group, said:

“It’s becoming clearer by the day that not only do we have a responsibility to reduce carbon emissions but that there is a real appetite for this change too. At Forth Ports, we are committed to supporting this, not only through our major industrial projects such as the creation of a £40m renewable energy hub within the Port of Leith, but also through housing development projects such as Western Harbour.

 “We want to continue the regeneration of Leith, but we believe that it needs to be done in a way that supports the move to net zero carbon. This is truly a transition, and we are confident that the steps we are proposing for Western Harbour will support the kind of behavioural change needed for Scotland to achieve its net zero aspirations.   

 “Forth Ports is proud of our role in helping create a much more vibrant and successful community and we are determined to do that in a way that is sustainable. These new homes for families will create a fantastic place to live in Leith beside one of the finest, and biggest, new parks in Scotland and, of course, our fantastic waterfront.”

The “Go Green” Hub’s Education Centre will be the first of its kind in Scotland and an important new attraction in Leith. It will also feature a CO2 emissions clock – a constant reminder to residents of how much they are cutting carbon emissions by adopting this approach. And in another first for a housing development of its type, the education centre will be made available to Edinburgh schoolchildren and teachers as a resource to promote education on sustainability issues.

The development will deliver a total of 2,000 homes to be completed over the next five years. These homes will sit alongside the recently completely Harbour Gateway, already created by Forth Ports and Rettie & Co. The development also includes one of the largest parks to be created in Edinburgh in 150 years – at 4.4 hectares, bigger than West Princes Street Gardens. The combination of this new park, the development’s carbon and energy efficient heating system and its “Go Green” Hub and Education Centre will make Western Harbour one of the most environmentally friendly housing developments in the City of Edinburgh.

The new homes will create a whole new community alongside a new 540 pupil primary school and nursery which is nearing completion and is planned for opening in late 2021.

In the currently consented plans for Western Harbour, car parking was to have been accommodated within carbon intensive parking decks constructed as part of the homes on the development. Most of the parking decks will now be omitted and replaced with 10,950 sq.m. of landscaped areas, directly accessible from the homes on-site and saving an estimated 4,555 tonnes of CO2e.

As petrol and diesel car use reduces over time, as forecast, the infrastructure will already be in place to convert further parking spaces to E-car spaces or, should overall car ownership decline, be repurposed.

Matthew Benson, Director, Development Services at Rettie & Co, said:

“It makes no sense to ‘bake in’ acres of underground concrete car parking spaces that are likely to be largely redundant by 2030 and which cannot be easily re-purposed.

 “We are all becoming more aware of our carbon footprint and in particular the impact that our travel choices have on that. In such a well-connected city like Edinburgh, the opportunity is growing for making different choices, but this change takes time. Our proposals recognise the need to help people embrace this transition over the coming years.

 “By amending these plans now, we can create a cleaner, more environmentally friendly place to live, providing residents at Western Harbour with homes whose green credentials will stand the test of time.”

Western Harbour will be one of the most sustainably connected developments in Scotland, with direct links to the extended Edinburgh tram system and the Lothian Buses network, while offering easy access to E-car clubs, E-bikes and the city’s bike path network.

12^th July 2021                                              – ends –

The Port of Tilbury, London’s fastest growing port welcomed hundreds of people from the local area to their recruitment day on Tuesday 29^th June 2021 at the London Cruise Terminal.

The event was designed to showcase the fantastic career and skills development opportunities the business has available across the port for adults of all ages. Attendees took the opportunity to speak to many people from across the port and some also tried their hand at moving containers using the digital simulator.

Commenting on the event Paul Dale, Asset & Site Director said: “Our event yesterday was a great success with hundreds of people of all ages coming to the cruise terminal to find out about our career opportunities at the port.

 Recruiting has never been so important as we enter the recovery stage of the pandemic with a clear focus on job creation and skills development. I am proud of the role that the port and our teams will play in the economic recovery through investment and growth.

 The Port of Tilbury has been in operation for over 135 years and we are a major local employer. Many of our people at the port have enjoyed long careers with 55% of our management team starting as apprenticeships including myself.”

 Michelle Primrose, Group HR Manager at Forth Ports said: “I am so pleased that so many people came along to our recruitment event this week. This was the first time that we have hosted an event on this scale and I hope that the people who came along will one day be working for us in one of our many roles across the port.

We are a growing port and we need a strong workforce of skills across all our activities to ensure we can continue to thrive in the future. My sincere thanks to all the team who made the event happen.”

For more about careers at Forth Ports and current vacancies, click here: https://forthports.co.uk/careers/

Careers at Forth Ports

The port has many opportunities to build a lifelong career or to develop skills for the workplace from early careers including apprenticeships; operations, engineering or in the port’s vital support areas such as finance or procurement.

APPRENTICESHIPS – as part of the recruitment event, the port has 12 apprentices in full time roles across the port following the completion of a successful two-year programme. The Warehouse and Supply Chain Operative Apprenticeship programme has been running since 2016 with 26 apprentices (aged between 18 – 24) now having successfully completed this apprenticeship. The apprentices developed their skills over a 2-year period and every one of the apprentices including the 10 young apprentices who have completed this year, have been kept on in full times roles across the port.

KICKSTART – The Port of Tilbury, in partnership with the PLA, announced in February that it was offering over 30 unemployed young people the opportunity to join the Port of Tilbury and Port of London Authority (PLA) in Gravesend for paid six-month traineeships this spring, as part of the Government’s £2.4 billion Kickstart work programme. The opportunities available range from administration through to operations, will give 16 to 24-year olds a chance to gain important experience in a real working environment.

Routes to LOGISTICS is a new programme which was launched in March 2021 for the local Tilbury community. The programme runs an introductory training course of up to three days on working in the Transport and Logistics industry. The purpose is to build aspiration and develop follow on support and training, tailored to the individual to help them into work. The course includes access to key accredited courses First Aid, Health and Safety, Fork Lift Novice Licence and IOSH managing safety course with additional e- earning modules that can be accessed from anywhere and cover all aspects of personal development, accredited health and safety and aspects of the Logistics Industry.

30 June 2021                                                            – ends-

On the 22 June each year, the Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with Port of Tilbury hold a celebration in the London Cruise Terminal to mark National Windrush Day where 73 years ago, the port played a significant role for the Windrush generation as their arrival point into the UK from their long voyage on board the SS Empire Windrush.

This year, in line with current COVID-19 guidance, the Tilbury on the Thames Trust and the port have invited 300 local school children to the London Cruise Terminal for an educational day focussed around Windrush.

Kids aged between 11 and 14 from five local schools in Tilbury will get to walk along the bridge that many Windrush “pioneers” would have used as they arrived in the UK for the first time. This bridge has been turned into an art installation by Eve Wright, an Essex-based artist, which includes 130 images and 35 audio recordings telling Windrush Stories.

The children will also visit the railway station where the passengers from the ship would have boarded trains to start their new life in the UK. Guides from the Tilbury Riverside Project will provide education talks about the history of Windrush and why it is important to mark the day and an acknowledgement of the contribution that this generation has had in the country, particularly in the NHS where many of the arrivals began their career.

The local schools are Lansdowne Primary Academy; Herringham Primary academy; The Gateway Primary Free School; Tilbury Pioneer Academy; and The Gateway Academy.

Commenting on Windrush Day, Stuart Wallace, Chair of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports said: “It is so important to remember the positive impact the Windrush generation played then and now in our local and national culture. We are extremely proud of the part the Port of Tilbury played when the SS Empire Windrush arrived in our port 73 years ago and today’s event with our future generation is a great educational opportunity for the community.”

Thurrock is proud of its connections with the Empire Windrush. A major celebration was held at the Port of Tilbury in 2018 to mark the 70th Anniversary of its arrival. A summer carnival was held in Tilbury on 20 July 2019 inspired by the local heritage of the area and the role of Tilbury with the Empire Windrush, as well as drawing on the style of the Notting Hill carnival. The project engaged with the local schools and residents of Tilbury, in a programme of educational workshops.

22 June 2021                                    -ends-

The Port of Tilbury, London’s fastest growing port is hosting a recruitment day on 29^th June 2021 at the London Cruise Terminal, to showcase the fantastic career and skills development opportunities the business has available across the port for adults of all ages. The day will run from 11am until 8pm and will be opened by Forth Ports Group CEO Charles Hammond OBE.

The Port of Tilbury has been in operation for over 135 years and is a major employer of people in its local communities with many people at the port enjoying long careers. The port’s activities are wide ranging and as key workers, the port has played a vital role of ensuring that goods, medicines and food get to where they need to be throughout the pandemic. As we enter the recovery stage of the pandemic with [as the Queen highlighted in her speech recently] a clear focus on job creation and skills development, the port will play its part in the economic recovery through investment and growth.

The port has many opportunities to build a lifelong career or to develop skills for the workplace from early careers including apprenticeships; operations, engineering or in the port’s vital support areas such as finance or procurement.

Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director at The Port of Tilbury said: “We know that the impacts of the pandemic has affected job and training opportunities for many people in the community but at the Port of Tilbury we are focussed on supporting and giving people opportunities to create their own career pathways.

 We are proud of our investment in our port teams to ensure that we have the skills for our business in the future and there are a lot of new opportunities here at our busy port as we rapidly expand our facilities including the recent opening of our new port Tilbury2.

 “We look forward to welcoming people along to our recruitment event on 29 June and to hopefully getting them started in their careers.”

APPRENTICESHIPS – as part of the recruitment event, the port has 12 apprentices in full time roles across the port following the completion of a successful two-year programme. The Warehouse and Supply Chain Operative Apprenticeship programme has been running since 2016 with 26 apprentices (aged between 18 – 24) now having successfully completed this apprenticeship. The apprentices developed their skills over a 2-year period and every one of the apprentices including the 10 young apprentices who have completed this year, have been kept on in full times roles across the port.

KICKSTART – The Port of Tilbury, in partnership with the PLA, announced in February that it was offering over 30 unemployed young people the opportunity to join the Port of Tilbury and Port of London Authority (PLA) in Gravesend for paid six-month traineeships this spring, as part of the Government’s £2.4 billion Kickstart work programme. The opportunities available range from administration through to operations, will give 16 to 24-year olds a chance to gain important experience in a real working environment.

Routes to LOGISTICS is a new programme which was launched in March 2021 for the local Tilbury community. The programme runs an introductory training course of up to three days on working in the Transport and Logistics industry. The purpose is to build aspiration and develop follow on support and training, tailored to the individual to help them into work. The course includes access to key accredited courses First Aid, Health and Safety, Fork Lift Novice Licence and IOSH managing safety course with additional e- earning modules that can be accessed from anywhere and cover all aspects of personal development, accredited health and safety and aspects of the Logistics Industry.

The Recruitment Day will take place in the London Cruise Terminal on Tuesday 29^th June from 11am – 8pm [NB: see flyer with this release]. Everyone is welcome. There will be strict C19 hygiene and social distancing measures in place throughout the day.

For more about careers at Forth Ports and current vacancies, click here: https://forthports.co.uk/careers/

9 June 2021                                                  – ends-

Work is progressing on this project of national importance to install new dual function lock gates on the Thames Estuary in Tilbury.

The £34m scheme is a project between the Environment Agency and the Port of Tilbury that will better protect thousands of homes and businesses in the local area from flooding.

The project will see three pairs of lock gates at the entrance lock to the port replaced. Each gate is approximately 15m tall and 19m wide; the equivalent approximately of three double decker buses high and the length of a cricket pitch wide. The outer gates will be raised in height and tie into the adjacent flood walls so that they perform the dual function of a navigational and flood risk management asset.

Since work started in January 2021 the main highlights include:

• the locating and identification of multiple electric cables to be diverted around the works areas;
• installation and testing of 2 x 36m long test piles to inform the foundation design for the new outer gate ram pits;
• construction of the replacement control buildings foundation slabs;

• a rolling programme of refurbishments of the sluices which control water levels between the gates.

Fabrication of the new middle and inner gates is underway in Holland, and detailed design work is continuing on the new gate control systems.

John Curtin, Environment Agency Executive Director for Local Operations said:

“It has been great to have visited the construction site at Tilbury Port and to meet the team delivering this nationally important collaborative project. It is complex project, involving construction activities around the busy port entrance – but I’ve been really impressed by the professional approach of the joint team with the ongoing support of Tilbury Port staff as we make important strides to better protect over 2,500 properties from flooding.”

Helena Henao-Fernandez, Environment Agency Team 2100 Deputy Programme Director, said:

“The Tilbury Dual Function Lock Gates Project is a perfect example of collaborative working between different organisations to tackle the effects of climate change. By working together, we are providing better protection against the risk of flooding to the local communities as well as delivering a suite of wider outcomes and benefits.”

Paul Dale, Port of Tilbury’s Asset & Site Director said:

“We are pleased that the construction work for this important project is well underway. It is vitally important that we get this new engineering solution in place to provide flood defences for homes and businesses for the future. It is great to welcome the EA team to the port today for an overview of the progress of the project so far.”

Once completed the new dual function lock gates will ensure a high standard of flood protection for Tilbury along with the new navigation lock for operations at the port.

This scheme is part of the Government’s long-term investment in flood and coastal defences. Since 2015 it has invested £2.6bn to better protect the country from flooding and coastal erosion meeting the target of better protecting 300,000 homes this March.

Earlier this year, the Government announced a record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences and the National FCRM Strategy will help build a better prepared and more resilient nation.

Date: 3 June

Notes

Work started in January 2021 and is expected to last for 18 months with the new lock gates planned for installation in late 2021 / early 2022.

Once the work is completed it will ensure a high standard of flood protection for Tilbury and provide a new navigation lock for operations at the busy port.

Planning for this project has been underway with the Environment Agency and the Port of Tilbury for several years. With total scheme costs of around £34million, the Port of Tilbury London Ltd (PoTLL) is providing a multi-million-pound contribution to the project and will take responsibility for operation and maintenance of the new dual function structure. Funding has also been secured from the Anglian (Eastern) Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

The Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 Programme (TEAM2100) will deliver the works in partnership with a number of contractors including Jacobs and Balfour Beatty.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Port of Tilbury and Thames Estuary flood defences

The Environment Agency Tilbury Barrier forms part of the Thames defences that reduce flood risk to the Purfleet, Grays and Tilbury flood cell along with The Port of Tilbury. The Port of Tilbury is the largest multi-modal port in the South East. Sitting on the north bank of the Thames just 22 nautical miles east of central London, it is perfectly placed to handle cargo for London and the rest of the South East, with easy access to the M25 and 18 million people within 75 miles.

The port has an annual throughput of 16 million tonnes per annum, estimated to have a value around £8.7 billion. The varied cargoes are spread across an estate in excess of 1,000 acres and are imported and exported by a variety of short and deep-sea vessels. Offering operational support for different cargoes, the port can support ro-ro, container, forest products, grain, and bulks as well as passenger cruises.

The current Tilbury Barrier was installed in 1981 and has already passed its designed maximum number of closures and had a number of required modifications. The Port of Tilbury London Limited (PoTLL) in planning the replacement of two sets of lock gates was keen to partner with the Environment Agency (EA) and install an outer set of gates, which can act in both an impoundment function and flood defence function.

The site area falls within the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy, which was approved by the EA Board in 2010 and by Defra and HM Treasury in 2012. The strategy sets out recommendations for managing tidal flood risk across the estuary until the end of the century and beyond. In January 1953, over 2500 properties flooded in Tilbury in a tidal surge that claimed 307 lives in England.

The Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) programme

The TEAM2100 programme pioneers a new asset management approach for the Environment Agency, investing early to maintain the condition of flood defence assets to reduce the risk of failure. The programme aims to ensure that the tidal walls, embankments, and barriers along the Thames Estuary continue to protect 1.4 million people and £321 billion of property from tidal flooding.

The programme of work includes detailed engineering investigation, repair and refurbishment work to flood defence assets across the estuary. This work will maintain or improve the condition of current flood defences and the standard of protection they offer. The programme started in 2014 and is being jointly delivered by the Environment Agency, Jacobs and Balfour Beatty, along with other suppliers. It is the UK’s largest single programme of flood risk management work, valued at over £300m in total, and is one of the Government’s top 40 major infrastructure projects.

Forth Ports today (25^th May, 2021) unveils ambitious proposals for the creation of Scotland’s largest and best located renewable energy hub on a 175 acre site at the Port of Leith – supporting Scotland’s economic recovery and energy transition plans and the achievement of Scotland’s net zero carbon emissions targets.

This £40m private investment will see the creation of a bespoke, riverside marine berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest offshore wind installation vessels. The facility will feature a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m²), backed up by 35 acres of adjacent land for logistics and marshalling. This will be supplemented by the upgrading of a 140 acre cargo handling site to accommodate lay down; assembly; supply chain and manufacturing opportunities. The total area is equivalent to around 100 full size football pitches. [See downloadable CGI video here: https://vimeo.com/554214247/cf526c091e]

The Port of Leith Renewable Energy Hub has the potential to:

• Make a major contribution to Scotland achieving its 2045 net zero greenhouse gases target
• Secure the Firth of Forth as the driver for Scotland’s green energy transition
• Help spearhead Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s Covid-19 recovery plan
• Support up to 1,000 high quality, long term direct jobs and about 2,000 indirect jobs

Launching the plans, Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “We are committed to playing a significant role in the renewable energy sector and, through that, Scotland’s energy transition to net zero as we also tackle the challenges of Covid-19 recovery and economic regeneration. This is a pump-priming investment in logistics and marine infrastructure at the Port of Leith as we harness Scotland’s natural resources for future generations and has the potential to play a significant part in our forthcoming Firth of Forth Green Port bid.

“Leith’s proximity to the North Sea, which is set to become home to many more offshore wind developments, coupled with the natural deep waters of the Firth of Forth, makes this an ideal location to support not only those developments already planned, but the pipeline of projects that are sure to follow. That’s why we’re prepared to invest our land, our expertise and our shareholders’ money to further build and strengthen Scotland’s renewables supply chain to deliver new long-term jobs. Forth Ports is committed to both help make Scotland’s renewables future a reality and help it meet its carbon reduction targets.”

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson, said:

“The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets to increase offshore wind capacity to 11 GW of energy installed by 2030 – enough to power more than eight million homes. This commitment, which will support our transition to a net-zero economy by 2045, capitalises on the fact that Scotland’s seas have some of the best offshore wind resources in the world.

“It is fundamentally important that the bold and necessary action required for us to reach net-zero is taken in a way that is fair and just for everyone. It must seize the economic benefits that will be created, supporting jobs and our wider society.

“This significant investment from Forth Ports to develop the Port of Leith places them in an ideal position to harness the offshore wind opportunities in the North Sea, creating good green jobs and supporting a just transition to net-zero – not just for the city of Edinburgh but the wider area and beyond.”

City of Edinburgh Council leader, Councillor Adam McVey, said:

“Renewable energy plays a vital role in tackling climate change and in securing a bright economic future for everyone in our Capital. The increase in jobs for people in Leith and across Edinburgh is hugely welcome and underlines our economic resilience as a City. The continuing regeneration of clean industry in the docks with the development of the Port of Leith Renewable Energy Hub is an important and welcome step in supporting the needed transition to a cleaner, greener future for the next generation.”

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“Scotland is at the start of its offshore wind journey, with plans to increase capacity tenfold in the coming decade. Ports and harbour infrastructure have an enormous role to play in the growth of that multi-billion pound sector which, with support from government and industry, is likely to grow much more quickly than it has to date.

“The announcement of such significant activity by Forth Ports is hugely welcome and will act as a signal to draw other, wider private and public sector investment to grow the skills, expertise, innovation and supply chain we need to make the most of this exciting next phase of the renewable energy industry’s development. The Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan contains many sites for floating wind development which, coupled with investments in infrastructure capable of handling the scale of floating turbine technology, mean we have a chance to gain a foothold in a market with enormous economic and export opportunities, particularly in the US and Asia. Scotland can truly lead the world in offshore wind, and today’s news from Leith is the first step in that journey.”

This will be a wholly private sector investment of £40m, backed by Forth Ports’ shareholders, in support of the industrial regeneration of the Port of Leith and reinforcing the role of the Firth of Forth in Scotland’s energy transition. It will further underpin the position of Scotland’s Central Belt as a leading area of engineering and manufacturing skills and capabilities.

With existing offshore wind farm development plans and the Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind seabed leasing round still to come, offshore wind alone has the potential to create enough work for this renewables hub for the next 30 years. The Firth of Forth’s natural deep waters and its proximity to the North Sea make it ideally suited to supporting future offshore wind farm development, both fixed and floating.

 Ends                                                                                                  25^th May 2021

Videos:

• CGI video showing the proposed Port of Leith Renewable Energy Hub: https://vimeo.com/554214247/cf526c091e
• Video with Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports announcing the investment in The Port of Leith and outlining how the announcement will be part of Scotland’s green energy transition: https://vimeo.com/555108062

SCA, Europe’s largest private forest owner and producer of wood products, packaging paper, pulp and renewable energy, will return on a long-term deal to market leading UK Paper Hub* located at London’s major port, the Port of Tilbury. The 50-acre facility on the Thames will become SCA’s primary UK logistics hub for the import of packaging materials to supply their UK customers.

Sweden based SCA, are a major European logistics supplier – calling at terminals including Umea, Sundsvall, Helsingborg, Oxelösund, Malmo, Iggesund and Kiel – and will see substantial volumes of packaging paper and other third-party cargoes regularly transported by their own Ro-Ro vessels from Sweden to the UK Paper Hubs’ dedicated berths.

SCA’s packaging materials will be used by customers in the UK for ecommerce, industrial and food packaging as well as many other retail packaging solutions – all contributing to the UK’s growing demand for renewable packaging materials.

Helping to keep global and domestic markets moving, UK Paper Hub will also assist SCA’s circular supply chain with the export of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel), supporting circular economy and energy from waste solutions across Sweden.

Commenting on the new contract for Tilbury, Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director said: “This is exciting news for the UK Paper Hub as we secure another market leader in the paper, packaging and forest products market. We warmly welcome SCA back to Tilbury and look forward to working collaboratively to ensure a world class, flexible, end to end service for their UK customers.

As the paper and forest product port for the future, we are focussing on making a real contribution to the environment and net zero targets by reducing all forms of waste within the paper and forest products supply chain. Through our location and connections, we offer unrivalled opportunities at our all-in-one facility.”

Steve Harley, Managing Director for SCA UK Logistics added, “2022 will mark our return to the Port of Tilbury. The move renews a long-standing relationship between SCA and Forth Ports which spans half a century. Ensuring that the logistics chain is as efficient as possible is our utmost concern and our Tilbury operation will align our shipping, warehousing and distribution activities with our customers’ geographical spread and service requirements. We look forward to a productive cooperation with the Forth Ports team.”

* UK Paper Hub is the collective brand covering Tilbury’s handling, storage and distribution services for paper and related forest products (including graphical papers and newsprint, packaging paper and board, tissue and hygiene products, and pulp). The brand brings together the expertise and facilities of the paper handling terminals, previously known as Enterprise Distribution Centre (EDC) and London Paper Terminal (LPT), which the port owns and operates.

The UK Paper Hub can handle paper and forest products in any form, any quantity using any method of shipping or distribution, both short sea and deep sea. The Hub has access to a nationwide haulage network and connects the UK’s domestic industries with markets across the globe. Tilbury’s newest port, Tilbury2, opened in May 2020 and along with London Container Terminal, offers the Hub further connections and capacity for customers. https://ukpaperhub.forthports.co.uk/

19 May 2021                  – ends-

Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest ports group, has appointed a new Group HR Manager and Group Financial Controller at an important time for the business which continues to invest significantly in its infrastructure, people and skills across its UK operations.

Michelle Primrose has joined as Group HR Manager and Matt McCreath has been appointed as Group Financial Controller. Both Michelle and Matt joined the Group in April.

Michelle is a highly experienced HR professional with previous roles with leading businesses including BAE Systems, Balfour Beatty, AECOM and Sainsbury’s. Michelle is a chartered MCIPD with experience in the delivery of successful people-focused HR strategies and also of supporting a large workforce during a period of change and growth. Michelle joins the senior management team, reporting to the Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond. and will be based in the Port of Grangemouth with responsibility for HR across the Group’s eight ports.

Matt is a qualified chartered accountant and has worked in senior management roles for a variety of well-respected global businesses, most recently John Menzies plc and previously Macdonald Hotels and KMPG. Matt joins the senior management team, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, Carole Cran, and will be based in the Group’s HQ at the Port of Leith.

Commenting on the appointments, Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive, said: “We warmly welcome Michelle and Matt to our management team. This is an exciting time for the business as we continue our multimillion-pound investment programme across the Group to deliver for our customers and their future needs as well as investing in our highly skilled workforce. We pride ourselves in our excellent training and skills development programmes that we deliver through our bespoke onsite training academies in Grangemouth and Tilbury.

 “Both Michelle’s and Matt’s experience will contribute significantly to the delivery of our strategic plans.”

Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable construction solutions business, has committed to a 25-year partnership with the Port of Tilbury, London’s fastest-growing port, to build the UK’s largest construction materials aggregates terminal.

The long-term agreement follows a £250 million pound investment made by Forth Ports at Tilbury2, the UK’s newest port. The facility is a purpose-built aggregate processing and manufacturing facility, strategically located to serve London and the South East, with multimodal connectivity.

The terminal will use the very latest technology and be capable of discharging the world’s largest deep-sea vessels. The riverside location combined with a dedicated railhead means efficient delivery of construction materials into Central London without the use of heavy road haulage, supporting Tarmac’s commitment to reducing emissions and creating a safer environment for other road users.

Peter Buckley, senior vice president, Tarmac, said: “Construction materials have a critical role to play in helping deliver the major infrastructure and construction projects which are supporting the UK’s economic recovery and long-term development.

“Our agreement with Forth Ports underlines a continued focus by Tarmac to develop industry leading facilities which will support these schemes, with the Build Back Better agenda and a clear commitment to driving sustainability and enhanced efficiencies.”

Mark Wood, regional managing director, materials south at Tarmac, said:

“We’re delighted to have established a long-term partnership with Forth Ports. The development of the new construction terminal demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the long-lasting security of high-quality aggregate supplies into London and the South East.

“Using the Thames and local rail network as a means of transporting vital materials to support the region’s infrastructure ambitions, not only removes vehicles from already congested roads around the capital but supports our customers with the delivery of a more sustainable built environment.

“We look forward to the official opening of the terminal and building on our relationship with Forth Ports over the coming years.”

Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of the Port of Tilbury, said:

“This is an exciting time for Tilbury2 as we sign a significant, long term agreement with Tarmac to create the UK’s largest construction materials terminal. This facility will be a game changer in the coronavirus economic recovery campaign to Build Back Better and is a good example of high productivity investment adding value to raw materials.  I am pleased that the signing of this agreement comes at the same time as we have been awarded Freeport status, which will bring further investment and jobs to the area.”

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at the Port of Tilbury, said:

“We warmly welcome Tarmac to Tilbury2. This new terminal will be truly multimodal, and this strategic location will ensure that the construction industry in London and the South East of England can have fast access to the materials they require.”

15^th April 2021                                            – ends –