Work on a £1 billion logistics project in Staffordshire, which could create up to 8,500 jobs, is set to begin as early as the Autumn following the appointment of a construction contractor.
Winvic Construction will lead the development of the West Midlands Interchange scheme on land west of Junction 12 of the M6 near to Cannock.
The company has said it will be looking to maximise work opportunities for local people and businesses during the construction phase, including providing employment, apprenticeship and trainee positions. The project is expected to take a decade to complete.
Once up and running the 734-acre site at Four Ashes will have an intermodal freight terminal with direct connections to the West Coast mainline. It will be capable of accommodating up to 10 trains per day as well as container storage and HGVs.
Up to eight million square feet of commercial space will be built on the site and 109 acres has also been assigned for two community parks.
Phase one work includes the construction of warehouses, developing one of the community parks with walkways, cycle paths and building part of a new road.
An Employment Fund Steering Group has already been established in collaboration with South Staffordshire Council, Staffordshire County Council and the City of Wolverhampton to maximise job opportunities as this work gets underway.
In an addition, communities adjoining the site have been consulted on the features for 109 acres of country parkland to be created to the northwest and southeast of the site, which will provide recreational opportunities for local people as well as aim to protect and enhance biodiversity in the area.
Rob Cook, Winvic’s Director of Civils and Infrastructure, said: “Winvic is primed to deliver the first phase civils and infrastructure works. We are known for the successful delivery of similar intermodal logistics schemes, sustainable projects and employment and training opportunities to local people, so we look forward to applying our tried and tested collaborative approach to create this best-in-class logistics park and Strategic Rail Freight Interchange.”
Plans for the Interchange were first revealed seven years ago and the project received the green light from the Secretary of State for Transport in 2020.
The project is being delivered by Oxford Properties and Logistics Capital Partners who have awarded Winvic the development contract.
