CO Down construction giant Graham has won a contract to deliver a new terminal at the UK's fastest growing port.

The north's largest construction group has been appointed by the Port of Tilbury in London to build the new multi-million pound port terminal, Tilbury2.

The port received planning permission last week, with construction work to begin immediately and be complete in Spring 2020.

The contract will involve the creation of a new port terminal and associated facilities on land at the former Tilbury Power Station on the north bank of the River Thames.

Graham executive chairman, Michael Graham said they are excited to deliver the "transformational" scheme.

“The Tilbury2 project is a complex scheme that will facilitate the expansion of the Port of Tilbury and support its continued local, regional and national economic growth."

Charles Hammond, chief executive of Forth Ports Group, the owners of the Port of Tilbury, added:

“Tilbury2 is a significant project for our business and our customers. We are very pleased to have the expertise of Graham to help us create this new port for London and the south east. Graham are experts in what they do and have demonstrated this in their recent maritime projects in Hull, Grimsby and in Folkestone. There is a great deal to do over the next 12months and we look forward to opening our new port in 2020.”

Tilbury2 is central to the Port of Tilbury’s £1bn investment programme, which began in 2012.

Tilbury has doubled the size of its business in the past 10 years and is projected to double the volume of cargo across the quay and increase direct employment over the next 10 to 15 years.

Credit : Irish News