A TREASURY minister visited Tilbury to mark the start of building work at a new logistics park that could create more than a thousand jobs.

Construction of warehousing development, London Distribution Park, which sits next to the Port of Tilbury, was officially launched on Tuesday with a special visit from Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Priti Patel MP.

LDP, a joint venture between Forth Ports and Roxhill Developments, received outline planning permission in 2012 and will bring more than 940,000 square feet of distribution facilities and is set to create up to 1,100 jobs.

The first bespoke warehouse has been taken on by successful builders’ merchant and home improvements retailer, Travis Perkins.

Mrs Patel said: “I think this is an incredible project and it will bring great benefits with a high number of jobs both locally and nationally.

Thurrock is an economic power house and is tremendous on a national level.”

Forth Port’s Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond, said: “We are delighted to mark this important phase of LDP with the minister today.

“We are seeing a strong demand for our Portcentric operation where customers can save time and money by taking advantage of our prime London location and our excellent, well established logistical connections to the UK market.” The development, which will almost be the size of 40 football pitches, will include quality warehousing from 50,000 square feet and 17 acres of haulage facilities.

Jason Dalby, Managing Director at Roxhill Developments, said: “This is an exciting time for LDP as we see the first bespoke warehouse being constructed.

“This development is a unique offering to the market as the port is already a significant distribution centre and is well positioned for access to the M25 orbital motorway and the rest of the UK’s national motorway network.”