Drawing on 60 years of experience, ABP Marine Environmental Research (ABPmer) provides specialist marine environmental research and consultancy services.
UK Dredging (UKD) operates the largest British-owned dredging fleet and specialises in the provision of reliable and cost effective port maintenance dredging services.
Artistic impression sketch of Solent Gateway 2. This is indicative and based on our emerging proposals.
Views are being invited as part of a new public consultation on emerging proposals to expand the port at Solent Gateway, deliver significant environmental enhancements and create a major new country park.
Extending Solent Gateway onto the northern part of the reclaimed land between Marchwood and Hythe will see the development of Solent Gateway 2, providing extra capacity for a world-leading, sustainable automotive terminal, meeting demand and supporting growth. Natural barriers would be preserved and enriched between the development and existing residential areas in the form of green spaces.
The consultation is also seeking views on the provision of a new direct access route to the new facility, with a new connection to the existing Solent Gateway, which would allow the diversion of vehicles that currently need to drive through Marchwood in order to get to Solent Gateway and instead enable them to access the existing facility on a direct connection from the A326.
Alastair Welch, Director, Port of Southampton, said: “Solent Gateway has grown rapidly into a true UK success story. As we look to the future, we recognise that continued success means thinking ahead. That’s why we’re now exploring the case for a considered expansion of the port, incorporating new community green space and environmental enhancements.
The expansion of the existing Solent Gateway would give us the additional capacity needed to deliver a world-class, sustainable automotive terminal - strengthening our position as a key player in the UK’s transport and logistics infrastructure, whilst continuing to support the armed forces.
This consultation is an opportunity to involve everybody in shaping a development that delivers lasting value - for local communities, for the environment and for the country as a whole.”
There are a number of different ways in which people are being invited to have their say during the consultation, with a combination of in-person and online events over the coming weeks:
|
Date |
Location |
Address |
Time |
|
Wednesday 24 September
|
Marchwood Village Hall |
Marchwood, Southampton, SO40 4SX
|
3pm to 8pm
|
|
Thursday 25 September
|
City Cruise Terminal Arrivals Lounge
|
Western Docks, Southampton, SO15 1BS Enter via Dock Gate 10 and follow signs for City Cruise Terminal. Parking available on the day. A member of port staff will be present to assist.
|
10am to 3pm
|
|
Friday 26 September
|
Marchwood Village Hall,
|
Marchwood, Southampton, SO40 4SX
|
3pm to 8pm
|
|
Tuesday 30 September
|
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall
|
West Street, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 6AA
|
3pm to 8pm
|
|
Friday 3 October
|
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall
|
West Street, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 6AA |
3pm to 8pm
|
|
Saturday 4 October
|
West Totton Community Centre
|
Hazel Farm Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 8WU
|
2pm to 5pm
|
There will also be two webinars, via Zoom, starting at 6pm on Wednesday 1 October and Wednesday 8 October 2025. Anybody wanting to attend the webinars can visit the website to register: www.Solentgateway2.co.uk
Feedback can be submitted at events, via the consultation website at Solentgateway2.co.uk, by email to contact@solentgateway2.co.uk or by writing to FREEPOST SGTWO. No stamp is required.
There will be a further round of consultation in 2026.
Anybody with questions about the consultation is invited to call 0800 138 9193
