A NATIONWIDE tour to decide on construction centres used for Heathrow’s expansion will take off at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) today.

A delegation from Heathrow Airport will kick off their nationwide tour of 65 sites still in the running to be the offsite construction centres for Heathrow expansion at the Yeadon site.

The Logistics Hubs will help to make sure businesses across the UK can form part of the airport’s supply chain, enabling Heathrow’s new runway to deliver a legacy of construction excellence across the UK.

Heathrow Chairman Lord Deighton and a delegation from Heathrow will carry out a tour of LBA’s proposed site. During each visit, the prospective Logistics Hub will have the chance to show the strengths of their proposal.

The tour begins in Yorkshire, as the region is home to the most longlisted sites. Heathrow representatives will be visiting 11 sites across the region including Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Severfield UK, and British Steel as well as bids across the Sheffield City Region.

Heathrow representatives will visit all longlisted locations in the first half of this year, and aim to open a pre-qualification questionnaire process later this year.

Heathrow’s expansion is expected to deliver up to £12 billion in economic benefits and 11,200 jobs across Yorkshire.

David Laws, LBA chief executive, said: “I am proud that LBA is kicking off Heathrow’s nationwide tour.

“We believe this airport represents an ideal location for one of Heathrow’s Logistics Hubs.

“The knock-on effects of a site here would bring huge benefits to people living in and around the airport, creating jobs in the local area.

“At Leeds Bradford, we connect people to the world, and it is great that Heathrow is connecting people across the country with the benefits that Heathrow expansion will bring.”

Lord Deighton, Heathrow Airport chairman, said: “It is great to be here at LBA today launching Heathrow’s Logistics Hub Tour.

“Heathrow expansion is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the UK construction industry, build for the future and deliver a lasting skills legacy for future generations.”