Holcim UK Supports £10m Heysham Port Expansion




 

Holcim UK has played an integral part in a significant £10 million redevelopment project at Heysham Port in Lancashire, delivering high-performance concrete solutions to enhance capacity, durability, and operational efficiency at one of the North West’s most vital transport hubs.

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Heysham Port is owned and operated by Peel Ports Group, and provides critical freight and passenger links between mainland UK, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. To futureproof operations and support increased traffic volumes, a comprehensive upgrade project was carried out by Kiernan Construction.

The redevelopment included a revamped trailer park, upgraded entrance, and a new multi smart gate operating system. Hundreds of heavy goods vehicles move through the port daily, which meant the project demanded a robust and highly durable roadway solution.

Holcim UK was chosen to supply specialist readymix concrete capable of withstanding intense loading conditions and helping keep the project on a tight construction timeline.
To meet the competing requirements of the project, Holcim designed and delivered a range of bespoke concrete mixes. Between April 2025 and May 2026, more than 4,500 cubic metres of concrete were supplied from Holcim’s Lancaster RMX plant.

This included standard CEM I concrete for general fill, alongside a specialist Strike early-strength concrete, crafted to accelerate construction timelines. Unlike conventional concrete, which can take up to 28 days to reach full strength, Strike achieves trackable strength within 24 to 48 hours to fast-track progress on site.

In heavily trafficked areas, Holcim provided a reinforced mix combining steel fibres, removing the need for extensive steel mesh. Working in partnership with Fibre Concrete Solutions, the team created a specification using 20–30kg of steel fibres per cubic metre, delivering reinforced strength and durability for long-term performance.

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Several challenges presented throughout the project, including the need for consistent high-volume deliveries within strict timeframes and difficult weather conditions during late 2025.

Holcim maintained reliability throughout, completing over 30 deliveries while ensuring consistent product quality. The use of the Holcim+ digital platform allowed for seamless ordering and real-time tracking of deliveries, helping the construction team maintain programme momentum.

Across the project, Holcim UK delivered:
4,500m³ total of readymix concrete 
3,600m³ of Strike concrete with steel fibres
Over 30 deliveries from Lancaster RMX plant

Martyn O’Malley, construction director at Kiernan Construction, said: “We’d like to thank the Holcim team for their support of the Heysham Port project.

“The supply of the Strike 5.0 concrete with steel fibres and all other mixes was excellent throughout. The consistency of the mix, combined with the reliability of deliveries from the
Lancaster plant played a key role in keeping the programme on track despite the challenging conditions and tight timeframes.

“The fibre mix, especially, performed exactly as required, providing the strength and durability needed for such a heavily trafficked environment, and significantly improved efficiency on site.

“In addition, the service from the Holcim team has been fantastic, from mix design through to delivery coordination. The use of the Holcim+ app was also a great support in managing orders and tracking loads.

“Overall, it has been a very positive experience working with Holcim on this scheme, and we look forward to working together again on future projects.”

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Oli Lawson, territory sales manager for Holcim RMX in the North West, said: “There is always a lot of pressure to deliver on projects like this, particularly when construction schedules are so tight.

“We worked closely with the client to ensure we met their expectations and precise specification, designing a bespoke mix that would result in rapid strength over a shorter time span.

“The use of steel fibres within the mix provided the increased strength needed to cope with the demands of articulated lorries rolling on and off ships and helped with efficiencies on the project, replacing the need for lots of steel mesh to be inserted.

“The Holcim+ app was utilised during the lifespan of the project so the client could order and track deliveries — something that is hugely beneficial to tight time frames.

“For me it was one of the most challenging projects I have worked on but the end result was very rewarding.”

The successful completion of the project ensures Heysham Port is better equipped to handle increased volumes and continue its role as a key logistics hub for the region, supported by durable infrastructure designed for long-term performance.

To find out more about Holcim UK’s concrete offering, please visit https://www.holcim.co.uk/products/ready-mix-concrete