BRIDGWATER would be an excellent location for a new Heathrow logistics hub as the country’s biggest airport prepares for expansion, says the area’s MP.

Heathrow is currently exploring a shortlist of around 60 potential locations but the MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset Ian Liddell-Grainger believes Sedgemoor has everything required to support the facility.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “Heathrow is looking for places which will host hubs to help facilitate a new runway expansion.

“Bridgwater could help facilitate such an expansion and host one of these – we are close to the M5, have available flat land, we are close to the airport and have a good record of distribution, such as the large Morrisons centre, so Heathrow would find us willing partners for a South West Hub.”

Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Duncan McGinty, echoed Mr Liddell-Grainger’s sentiments, saying the council was exploring the potential to host a logistics hub to support the expansion.

Cllr McGinty said the area had all the expertise needed.

“These discussions are at a very early stage as part of a long list of alternative locations across the country,” he said. “Bridgwater is an excellent location and this combined with our knowledge and expertise on national infrastructure projects and our exemplary track record of delivery, means we are a credible partner for any investor to consider.

“We understand that Heathrow are just at the start of their process and look forward to working with them to inform their plans for 2020 and beyond.”

On March 16 the Somerset Chamber of Commerce partnered with Heathrow Airport for its first business summit of 2018, held at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

The event allowed businesses to come together to network and trade with one another, meet the airport’s supply chain and organise meetings with the Department for International Trade to explore exporting opportunities.

David Hall spoke about the benefits South West businesses could offer with good transport links to major cities. He also stated there is a strong offering of quality on offer from the South West.

Alistair Tudor, head of chamber services at the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, commented: “The event gave companies across the South West a great opportunity to meet with purchasers from Tier 1 contractors and discuss the requirements of the project. "Somerset Chamber booked over 100 appointments with Tier 1 and preferred bidders, and it was terrific to see that so many local businesses recognised the opportunity offered by such a large infrastructure project and the benefits of getting involved early.

"Feedback from all parties has been universally positive, with purchasers getting an excellent idea of just how capable our supply chain is and local companies relishing the opportunity to speak to organisations that, in some instances, they’d been trying to speak to for years!”

Other projects discussed with attendees were ‘Lulsgate Bristol Airport’ project , the new ‘Eco energy park’ as well as ‘The Bridgwater Gateway’.

Heathrow Airport spends up to £1.5bn annually with more than 1,200 suppliers from around the UK.