A former cement works in West Wiltshire could be used as a logistics hub for Heathrow Airport’s expansion, potentially bringing jobs and investment to the area.
The high-profile site, in the shadow of the Westbury White Horse, is one of 65 named as potential locations for four regional hubs which will pre-assemble components for the expanded airport. 
These would then be transported to Heathrow, playing a key role in the airport’s efficient growth and reducing the amount of congestion caused by construction traffic in and around the airport as well as lowering the number of on-site construction staff.
They could also bring together research and innovation in new construction techniques with factories or warehouses where prefabricated building and runway sections could be assembled before being transported to the airport.
Cement production at the former Lafarge works near Westbury ceased in 2009 after more than 40 years and the site is now operated by construction giant Tarmac as a distribution depot. It already has a plan to demolish unused buildings on site.
Its iconic 122m-high (400ft) chimney, which became almost as famous as the nearby white horse, was demolished last year. Only a small part of the site is now used to transfer cement from rail wagons to heavy goods vehicles for onward transport.
The government last year chose Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, over Gatwick as its preferred location for air travel expansion in the South East.
Under the proposals – which have not yet been approved by Parliament and could still face legal challenges – a third runway will be built at Heathrow, possibly opening as early as 2025.
Heathrow wants to spread the benefits associated with what would be one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects – with a price tag of around £18bn – around the country by setting up the four regional logistics hubs.
The sixty-five potential sites – which include two at Avonmouth and Severnside near Bristol – were chosen from an initial 121 applications.
Heathrow chairman Lord Deighton said: “As the UK leaves the EU, Heathrow is an essential infrastructure project that will ensure Britain remains an open trading nation.
“As part of that, Heathrow’s third runway will rely on talent from all over Britain helping to create a national asset for generations to come. This means new procurement opportunities for businesses in every region, helping drive growth and investment into local communities in all corners of this country.
“Our aim, to harness the skills we need through long-term projects such as the logistics hubs will drive jobs and investment leaving a legacy of increased productivity for the construction sector.
“The third runway is not a London centric project – it is one we are opening up to the whole of the UK, asking for its skills and expertise to help build an asset this country so desperately needs to safeguard its future prosperity.”
