Representatives from Verdion and its funding partner the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) were in Doncaster this week to check out progress on site at iPort, their 6 million sq ft (570,000 sq m) Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) scheme.

Michael Catford, HOOPP’s Vice President, Real Estate, Mike Hughes (Verdion), Nick Macrae (HOOPP) and Chris Holtved (HOOPP) took a tour of the 337 acre (136 hectare) development site and were extremely pleased with the progress.

Construction of the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS) is well underway and ahead of schedule. This new link road will connect iPort to junction 3 of the M18 by September 2014 and will then continue to the Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport, due for completion in early 2016.

Michael Catford, commented: “We are extremely pleased and impressed with the progress the council is making with FARRRS which is pushing ahead at full steam. The link road is the catalyst to the start of development at iPort and this connectivity by road, as well as rail and port makes this location a very attractive offer.”

Michael Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of Verdion, added: “Doncaster has been acknowledged for some years now as a premier central UK location for the distribution business and we look forward to delivering a premier scheme.”

Inland Port (iPort) is a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) which will deliver over 6 million sq ft (570,000 sq m) of Grade A logistics warehousing linked with a high specification rail freight intermodal container facility providing rail freight services with continental gauge clearance to all major UK ports and the Channel Tunnel.

The current proposals are for six large footprint buildings from 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m), each with high bay facilities of up to 35 metres permitted.

Peter Dale, Doncaster Council’s Director of Regeneration and Environment, said: “The investment of both HOOPP and Verdion in iPort is a massive endorsement for Doncaster. FARRRS is the catalyst for huge levels of new inward investment which will see projects delivered that create thousands of new jobs and homes.  Doncaster is making great strides and the outlook for the Doncaster and Sheffield City Region economies is looking extremely positive. Doncaster has much to look forward to.”

Further information on FARRRS is available at www.doncaster.gov.uk/FARRRS

Pictured from left to right are: Mike Morrison (C&W), Michael Catford (HOOPP), Mike Hughes (Verdion), Nick Macrae (HOOPP) and Chris Holtved (HOOPP).