Heathrow Airport's £16 billion expansion programme will to make Britain "lead the pack" in global construction, according to its Chief Executive Officer John Holland-Kaye.

The Airport has started inviting communities across Britain to put forward why their area should host one of four new off-site logistics hubs, which are being delivered to boost off-site construction across the country.

The facilities will help the Airport deliver its expansion programme, as well as drive growth across Britain. The hubs will pre-assemble components of the expanded airport before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow. Overall, the facilities will make the project more affordable as well as reducing emissions by transporting assembled components to site in fewer lorries

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New research from economic consultancy WPI Economics states growth in the industry could lead to a £15bn boost outside London by 2020 alone.

The use of off-site construction has reduced housebuilding costs by up to 25% and sped up project delivery by 30%. However, the technique has had a limited role towards supporting major infrastructure projects.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: "The global construction industry is set to be worth £15 trillion by 2025 – that's a huge prize that Britain deserves a bigger share of and Heathrow can help.

"We want to use Heathrow expansion to not only upgrade Britain's infrastructure, but cultivate a new world-leading sector and drive growth across the whole country. Boosting off-site construction will help make expansion more affordable and environmentally friendly and give Britain a lasting legacy of expertise that it can sell around the world – helping Britain lead the pack in global construction."

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(LM)