Port of Liverpool to top 4 million sq ft of warehousing
For Immediate Release - 08 April, 2008
The green light has been given to the second phase of development of Liverpool Intermodal Freeport Terminal (LIFT), providing more than 400,000 sq ft of additional modern warehousing and expanding the Port's logistics capacity to 4,000,000 square feet.
Peel Ports Group's detailed planning application for Phase 2 of the multi-modal logistics hub has been approved by Sefton Borough Council following the successful letting of all 600,000 sq ft of the first stage.
Construction of the second phase of the LIFT project is expected to get under way later this year with the whole development completed in 2009. The project will consist of high bay, steel portal framed distribution units ranging from 70,000 sq ft to more than 200,000 sq ft, tailored to clients' needs and served by sea, rail, road and inland barge.
Two of the units will be directly linked by rail, taking advantage of the planned hike in the Port of Liverpool's rail traffic capacity when work to enhance the links between the docks and the national rail network is completed in December.
Liverpool now handles an average of 15 trains a day at its five railheads, moving containers, steel, coal, forest products and scrap metal for recycling. Under the Government's Transport Innovation Fund, an abandoned stretch of track known as the Olive Mount Cord, will reduce the transit time for maritime traffic by avoiding the need for trains to shunt across Liverpool's busy Edge Hill junction and will enhance rail capacity.
Peel Ports Marketing Director Frank Robotham, described the development of LIFT Phase 2, as a significant development within the secure environment of the Port of Liverpool and Liverpool Freeport. "It continues to reflect the demand from logistics companies to be part of a port community that offers a strategic location which maximises efficiency and minimises distribution costs.
"Completion of the LIFT project is just one element in the long term expansion plan for the Port of Liverpool as the North and North West of England's natural, cost effective gateway to world sea routes."
Occupants of Phase Two of the LIFT area will join major names in the logistics industry such as the RH Group, Christian Salvesen and Stanton Grove who are among the clients in the development’s first phase.
"This expansion anticipates an acceleration of demand for logistics platforms adjacent to the Post Panamax Terminal we plan to put into operation during 2011," said Mr Robotham.
"Every tonne of cargo handled through Liverpool reduces road haul miles across Britain's congested roads and makes its own contribution to securing a greener environment. It also gives the great swathe of Northern England international access without dependency on south coast ports."
Liverpool's green credentials have been enhanced by its link to the Manchester Ship Canal through parent group Peel Ports. Together, the port at the mouth of the River Mersey and the Ship Canal offer an all-water route for international trade to and from Britain's richest cargo region outside London. With Peel Ports' planned multi-million pound development of Port Salford – the North West's most comprehensive inland intermodal terminal handling freight by barge, rail and motorway – the "green" movement of trade is set to further expand.
Press Enquiries:
- Peel Ports Group, Tel +44 (0)151-949-6000