Transport Minister Visits Liverpool2 Development

The Minister, who has responsibility for the strategic roads network and ports, received a tour of the site during a visit to the city to discuss prospective improvements to the major A5036 corridor used by hauliers calling at the Port of Liverpool. 

“The container shipping industry plays a vital role in the U.K.’s economy, whether putting goods on shop shelves or in helping U.K. businesses to manufacture and export their products. It is also vital to job creation and skills development in the region,” Jones said.

“We will do everything possible to support the continued growth that is essential to our economic performance and international competitiveness,” Jones continued. “That’s why we have committed £13 billion to creating a more efficient and integrated transport network across the north.”

Warren Marshall, Group Planning Director of Peel Ports, said, “The U.K. also under-uses short-sea shipping, coastal and inland waterway freight services, a sector in which Peel Ports is a leader, especially with the Manchester Ship Canal. There are significant opportunities for cost efficiencies and environmental savings and we are supporting the Freight Transport Association in encouraging shippers to look at these options.

“The government has shown a strong interest in Liverpool2 throughout the development, recognizing its importance as a key cargo gateway in a competitive global environment. We were honored to receive a visit from the Minister to show him how we are adding to the U.K.’s trading infrastructure through our investment and contributing to the government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative.”

“We also welcome his support for improvements to the transport network that will help ensure the local economy can continue to benefit from the port in the decades to come,” Marshall said.

Liverpool2 is to have a phased opening, with marine trials beginning soon and other elements of the semiautomated terminal coming online throughout the second quarter of 2016.