MOD lines up £86m Cumbrian storage facility

The Ministry of Defence has hired main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey to construct an 807,300 sq ft distribution centre in Longtown.

Situated by the Scotland and England border, the government department projects that MOD Distribution Centre (North) will support 450 jobs. The facility is to cost £86m to build, according to the ministry.

Details are few regarding the project. The MOD has stated that it will be built on brownfield land and is set to complete in October 2024. The facility will store equipment and spare parts for all three armed forces.

“The new warehouse will provide the UK with additional modern storage facilities, building on the success of similar facilities in Donnington, that will ensure assets are available more rapidly to meet surges in demand,” said John Farrow, director of logistics and support operating centre at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support department.

Farrow continued: “This contract represents a fantastic example of the progress we have made in developing and implementing fit-for-purpose facilities that is helping to accelerate our mission of equipping and supporting our UK armed forces today and tomorrow.”

Neil Hudson, the MP for Penrith and the Border, welcomed the news.

“Make no mistake this is a huge government vote of confidence and investment in Longtown and I’m proud as the local MP to welcome in such a monumental project for my constituents,” Hudson said.

“Not only strengthening our national defence infrastructure, this investment will contribute massively to the prosperity and growth of our border communities,” he continued.

“I look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of this project, fostering economic development and job opportunities for our border region.”