New £27m Medway timber facility opens
11 February 2020A major new facility for the UK timber trade has opened on the River Medway in Kent following a £27m investment by operators Peel Ports. The Wellmarsh site provides storage, processing and handling of timber.
Based at the Port of Sheerness, the largest terminal of its kind in the UK handling 1.1 million tonnes of timber and forest products a year. The port already had 40 acres of timber storage which has expanded to over 50 acres following Peel Ports’ investment. The secure base gives fast and easy access to London via the M2 and M20.
There is a further option for international distribution. The Port of Sheerness has 11 metres of water depth with no tidal restrictions or lock system, allowing for unrestricted 24 hour berthing.
“This investment is a direct response to the interest we’ve had from throughout the construction sector in using the Port of Sheerness as the ideal location for serving the south-east construction market.” said Richard Goffin, port director. “As well as supporting the local business community, we’re also proud to have created a number of new permanent jobs at the port, underlining the role we play as a major employer in the region.”
