Doncaster Sheffield Airport glides through next stage of becoming Heathrow Logistics Hub

Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been recognised as a prospective site for Heathrow Airport’s expansion scheme as a Logistics Hub in the North.

The 1,600-acre Aero Centre Yorkshire site, at the centre of which sits Doncaster Sheffield Airport, offers a vast amount of land available in comparison to many other airports in the UK.

Following the construction of the £56m Great Yorkshire Way link road, there is now easy access to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, with over 6 million people within a 60-minute journey radius.

Motorway links via the A1(M) and M18 also provide a direct road link to Heathrow, along with the North of England and Scotland.

The airport is also aiming to achieve rail connectivity from the East Coast Mainline, therefore providing a potential direct rail link to the airport for Logistics Hub users and passengers.

The 20-year masterplan for Aero Centre Yorkshire has a focus on creating jobs through a range of commercial developments. The addition of a Heathrow Logistics Hub would provide opportunity for investment and growth.

Steve Gill, chief executive at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “Aero Centre Yorkshire is not only a unique proposition for the region, it is also a natural fit for the Heathrow Logistics hub.

“With excellent road links already in place and plans to implement a dedicated airport station which would connect the East Coast Mainline directly to site, we feel confident that our proposal suits Heathrow’s requirements.

“We are proud to be a part of the Sheffield City Region, an area which is recognised world-wide for its expertise in high precision engineering and thriving manufacturing supply chain, and this is a large part of our offering.

“The combination of Aero Centre Yorkshire’s capacity and a skilled regional workforce would make for an excellent logistics hub for the UK’s biggest airport.

“The inclusion of such a project into the ever expanding vision of Doncaster Sheffield Airport would provide a further facilitator for economic growth which would be felt across the Sheffield City Region. We are excited to participate in the next stage of the process.”

The next stage of the shortlisting process will begin in January 2018.