The supply chain looking to deliver Heathrow's £14bn expansion plans, including a new runway over the M25 motorway, is to get the chance to showcase its engineering strengths to the airport's decision makers.
Bidders for Heathrow logistics hubs are gearing up to show airport representatives what they can deliver, as the representatives begin a tour of the 65 longlisted sites.
Heathrow Airport will be looking for the longlisted businesses to demonstrate a skilled workforce, good transport links to Heathrow and an ability to collaborate on a nationally important infrastructure scheme.
The final four offsite construction hubs will be used to pre-assemble components for Heathrow's expansion before being delivered to the airport in consolidated loads. It will be the first time a major UK construction scheme has used offsite construction hubs, ensuring that 60% of procurement spending for expansion will be outside London.
Laing O'Rourke and Balfour Beatty are two of the firms in the running to win one of the hub sites.
Starting at Leeds Bradford Airport on 9 February, Heathrow representatives will tour all 65 sites before a prequalification process is set up later this year. One of the sites will be in Scotland but the other three do not yet have set locations.
"An expanded Heathrow is for all of Britain and the Logistics Hubs are instrumental in our aim to ensure that expansion spreads the huge potential of its £187bn in economic benefits across the UK, whilst minimising the impact on the airport's local communities," said Heathrow chairman Lord Deighton
"Offsite construction is an innovative way for these balances to be met and we can't wait to see for ourselves the opportunity we have in working with the best businesses in the country."
Last year the 65 sites were chosen from an initial 121 applicants. Heathrow believes the hubs will give the UK an economic boost of £30bn.
Original link - newcivilengineer
