30 March 2012
Construction of the new grain exporting facility on the land next-door to the silos is well underway and the development is on target to be operational for this year’s harvest season. The facility is set to be twice the size of the former timber warehouse on the site, covering an area of 41,000 sq ft. Work started on the new facility last November and since then local contractor Adenstar have made excellent progress in erecting the steel frame and roof, which is due for completion next week. This will be shortly followed by the concrete walls and super strong floor.
As the site was a former gas works the potential for obstructions and contamination in the ground was significant, but Adenstar have managed to overcome the relatively few problems encountered. Old sections of the gas works were uncovered, but nothing interfered with the construction for any length of time. The development has not been without excitement and whilst working on the ground works for the site and excavating to remove obstructions to the driven reinforced concrete piles, Adenstar discovered a stone carving dating back to the beginning of last century.
Gary Herman Managing Director of Bartholomews, who own the facility, said “the exporting facility will be fitted with state-of-the art equipment to handle grain and other farm products to the highest standards of food safety, cleanliness and efficiency. The new facility will enable Shoreham Silos Services to serve their customers much more effectively”.
Peter Davies, Development Director of Shoreham Port said “we are delighted that Barhololmews are constructing a new grain exporting facility, as this demonstrates Shoreham Port’s commitment to developing the port in partnership with their customers. This development is one of the many projects underway at the port, adding to the growing success of the port”.
