A major new facility for the UK timber trade has opened following a £27million investment.

The site at Wellmarsh, at the Port of Sheerness, will provide space for storage, processing and handling of timber and is a result of investment by operators Peel Ports.

The port is already the largest terminal of its kind in the UK, handling 1.1m tonnes of timber and forest products a year.

It already has 40-acres of timber storage facilities and Peel Ports’ investment takes it to a total of over 50 acres.

The secure base is used to supply factories, production lines, construction projects and retailers.

Port director Richard Goffin said: “This investment is a direct response to the interest we’ve had from throughout the construction sector in using the Port of Sheerness as the ideal location for serving the south east construction market.

"As well as supporting the local business community, we’re also proud to have created a number of new permanent jobs at the port, underlining the role we play as a major employer in the region.”

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