A NEW £1.3m aggregates and concrete depot will help meet Southampton’s construction needs.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead performed the official opening of Hope Construction Materials’ new rail-fed depot in the city’s Imperial Road, the latest in its 170-strong UK-wide network.

Alan Whitehead said: “It’s great to see yet another company invest in Southampton. We have a proud history of trade and construction and I’m delighted that Hope is helping to continue this by bringing jobs to Southampton in this area.”

Hope’s chief executive, Chris Plant said: “This facility puts us in an even better position to supply concrete and aggregates to infrastructure developments on the South Coast.”

Whilst Hope has been manufacturing concrete at a smaller nearby for three years, the new site – formerly occupied by a recycling business and a pallet company – is linked to the rail network, allowing the company to take delivery of aggregates (an important ingredient in construction materials) from its quarry in Derbyshire.

The firm says the UK’s third largest concrete company, estimates the new depot will take around 2,800 lorry loads off local roads each year.

The event also offered schoolchildren a chance to get closer to the world of construction.

Linking with nearby Mount Pleasant Junior School, Hope also ran a competition to name the 19-tonne, 3.7 metre-tall shovel machine.

Hibaaq Jama’s winning suggestion ‘Titan of Hope’ was unveiled on a name plaque on the machine and she was presented with a model of the loading shovel and book token.