On Monday 14 April, the new site entrance at Associated British Port (ABP) Solent Gateway was officially opened by the Leader of the New Forest District Council, Councillor Jill Cleary. Councillor Cleary cut the ribbon to open the gate and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
The new site entrance is part of the first phase of the project to develop ABP Solent Gateway, the operator of Marchwood Military Port. The first phase is now complete, adding 21 acres of new operational space to support both MOD and commercial cargoes. Backed by a £25 million investment, this initial phase is part of a larger development scheme aimed at accommodating larger vessels and providing additional space on-site. Previously, the land at the Military Port had been left unused.
In addition to creating new operational space, the project has also achieved a biodiversity net gain both on-site and off-site. It has improved 24 hectares of land within the New Forest National Park, as well as enhancing the landscape within the port facility. One of the final elements of this development involved upgrading the port entrance. A new security facility has been constructed, and the port entrance has been repositioned. With the new two-lane entrance, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) can be held within the port facility, effectively preventing congestion outside the port.
Councilor Jill Cleary, Leader of New Forest District Council said: “I am happy to see this first phase of the development completed. Since we granted planning permission in 2022, I have been keen to see Solent Gateway progress as a key site within the Freeport, which will generate revenue for regional investment, create new jobs for our local communities, and further strengthen the region as a hub for global trade. All welcome aims for the New Forest district.”
Richard Parkinson, the Port Director, stated, "I am delighted that this part of the project is complete. We now have a modern security facility, increased operational space, and a purpose-built port gate that can accommodate greater volumes of traffic and prevent congestion on the public road. This development not only supports the Ministry of Defence (MOD) but also addresses the capacity challenges faced by the Port of Southampton, where space is limited. We are focusing efforts now to develop additional space within the port which already has planning permission from New Forest District Council and expect a further 9 acres to be completed in the Autumn.”
