The Port of Blyth in north-east England has started work on terminal redevelopment that will provide a new heavy-lift quay that could be used in the offshore wind sector.
The £3m (€3.4m) investment will see the reconstruction and strengthening of the quay on the Bates Terminal site, as well as a kilometre of new roadway being installed to improve access and earthworks to level the development site.
About six hectares of land will be unlocked by the work, which is mainly being carried out by Hall Construction.
The job is expected to be completed by November this year.
Port of Blyth chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “Commencing these works is another major milestone in the development of Port of Blyth.
“While the reconstruction of the quay will provide increased flexibility and availability at a time when demand is high, the earthworks on site will open up exciting opportunities for redevelopment on areas of the existing terminal and recently acquired land.
“Having worked closely with the North East LEP on this project over the last year or so, we are delighted that all the funding has slotted into place for a project which will be of great benefit to both the port and the region.”
North East LEP chair Andrew Hodgson said: “The Bates Terminal is one of the North East LEP area’s Enterprise Zones, which are strategically important sites that will help support our aim of creating more and better jobs in the region.
“Our £2.85m investment alongside the Port of Blyth will help to further cement Blyth and the wider region as a key location for the offshore and subsea sectors, whilst also offering port customers across a range of sectors additional growth opportunities.”
The terminal redevelopment comes at a time when Blyth’s Energy Central partnership is approaching completion of the first £32m phase of the Northumberland Energy Park on the former Blyth Power Station site on the north side of the river.
Energy Central is a collaboration between Port of Blyth, Advance Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Offshore Energy Renewable Catapult.
It is designed to create an environment for inward investment from the offshore and renewable energy sectors.