Fast Market Access

By Road

Logistics Hub UK, Sheffield City Region is located at a central hub in the UK’s motorway network, providing direct access to the M1, A1 and M18 North-South motorways, and the M62 and M180 East-West motorways.

Benefits to logistics, distribution and warehousing companies located in the region include:

  • Return journeys to all major UK-mainland markets within one HGV driver shift
  • Same-day deliveries to major markets in both southern England and central Scotland
  • Access to all major population centres and markets in:
    • England within 3 hours 30 minutes
    • England and Wales within 4 hours
    • England, Wales and Scotland within 4 hours 30 minutes*

*from M18, Junction 3 (DN3). Assumes 56mph Average Speed.
Source (Distances): Google Maps [10]

HGV Drive Time2 hours3 hours4.5 hours
Population of Working Age13.0m25.5m33.8m
Average expenditure per person per annum
(UK Nat. Average: £9,343)
£9,131£9,098£9,797
Source: [1]

HGV Isochrone Statistics From M18, Junction 3 (DN3)



HGV Drive Times
To/From Regional and UK Sea Ports

Destination/Origin PortMilesApprox. HGV Drive
Time (hours)*
Humber Ports
Goole220:23
Hull470:50
Immingham490:52
Grimsby510:55
Other major UK Ports
Liverpool (L21 1)1142:01
Port of Tyne, South Shields (NE34 9)1252:14
London Gateway (SS17 9)1823:15
Felixstowe (IP11 3)1893:22
Southampton (SO14 3)2153:50
*from M18, Junction 3 (DN3). Assumes 56mph Average Speed.
Source (Distances): Google Maps [10]

HGV Drive Times
To/From Major UK Population Centres

Major UK Population Centres
Destination/Origin
MilesApprox. HGV Drive
Time (hours)*
Sheffield260:28
Leeds470:50
Manchester78.51:24
Birmingham87.81:45
Liverpool1081:56
Newcastle1242:13
London1743:06
Bristol1873:20
Cardiff2143:49
Edinburgh2444:21
Glasgow2464:23
*To city centres from M18, Junction 3 (DN3). Assumes 56mph Average Speed.
Source (Distances): Google Maps [10]

Doncaster Air and Rail Freight Terminals

Destination/OriginMilesApprox. HGV Drive
Time (hours)*
Doncaster Sheffield Airport6.30:07
Doncaster Int. RailPort (DN4 5)8.70:09
Doncaster Inland Port5.40:06
*from M18, Junction 3 (DN3). Assumes 56mph Average Speed.
Source (Distances): Google Maps [10]


By Rail


Doncaster International Railport

Operated by Freightliner, Doncaster International Railport is a 5 hectare (50,000 sq.m.) intermodal rail terminal, situated within close proximity of Doncaster’s primary logistics, warehousing and distribution sites, and forming a key component in the region’s multimodal offer to logistics and distribution companies.

The Railport handles 37,000 deep sea containers per year [23], providing rail freight connections between Doncaster and the major UK deep sea ports of Felixstowe, Southampton and Tilbury, via the Freightliner network.

Map: Decoy Bank South, Doncaster, DN4 5PD.



Doncaster Rail Freight Connections to Port of Felixstowe, the UK's Largest Container Port

Doncaster International Railport connects local importing and exporting companies to world trade via fast, frequent services to the Port of Felixstowe. 4 daily round-trip services currently operate between Monday and Friday, amounting to 20 southbound (export) and 20 northbound (import) services per week.

Doncaster-Felixstowe Outbound Rail Freight Services*

OperatorHead CodeDeparture TimeNotes
Freightliner4E8300.27hrs
Freightliner4E5515.20hrs
Freightliner4E6418.19hrsSplit Service, also serving Cleveland
Freightliner4E6204.41hrsRecently introduced
GB Railfreight4E3311.20hrs
*Information correct as of 6.2.14
Source: [24]

Felixstowe-Doncaster Inbound Rail Freight Services*

OperatorHead CodeArrival TimeNo. of Wagons
Freightliner4E8307.42hrs28
Freightliner4E5521.03hrs22
Freightliner4E6406.05hrs22
Freightliner4E6210.46hrs24
GB Railfreight4E3317.35hrs27
*Information correct as of 6.2.14
Source: [24]

Passenger Rail Services

Doncaster Station is a major passenger interchange on the UK’s high-speed, north-south mainline (the East Coast Main Line, connecting London with Edinburgh).

The station provides fast, frequent connections to the UK and continental Europe, including:
  • London (King’s Cross) in 88 minutes
  • Over 45 trains to London daily
  • Frequent, fast daily services to all major UK cities
Map: Station Ct, Doncaster, DN1 1PE

Doncaster Passenger Rail Services - Journey Times

Doncaster to:Journey Times
Sheffield22mins
Leeds37mins
Manchester1hr 20mins
Newcastle1hr 23mins
Birmingham1hr 29mins
London(kings Cross)1hr 28mins

By Air

Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA): Air Freight

Opened in 2005 and owned and operated by The Peel Group, Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is the UK’s newest airport, representing an investment of £150m in state-of-the-art facilities.

The airport’s 2,893m runway, 24/7 all-weather operations, expansive apron areas and 50,000 sq. ft. transit shed mean that it is capable of handling comfortably all aircraft up to and including B747 and AN-225’s.

DSA has a wide range of air cargo capabilities and is currently establishing a solid reputation as an ad-hoc cargo specialist, based on operational efficiency, flexibility and industry leading service standards. The airport has also developed specialist air cargo handling expertise in a number of niche sectors, including:
  • Dangerous Goods – Section 5 / Class 1
  • Out of Gauge Cargo
  • Equine Transport
  • Just In Time Manufacturing (Automotive) / Pharmaceuticals
  • Stage Equipment



Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'One Stop Shop' for Air Freight

Doncaster Sheffield Airport and its on-site partners Anglo World Cargo, Weston Aviation and Servisair have developed a unique, fully integrated ‘one stop shop’ for all air freight needs, including:
  • Trucking to/from point of delivery or collection
  • Full Aircraft Charter
  • Fast and efficient Air Cargo Handling & full Customs Clearance
  • Aircraft Handling
  • Air Freight Storage
DSA and its service partners are dedicated to delivering industry leading ‘best in class’ service levels in air freight.

DSA also offers significant on-site development potential with a 62-acre business park and development land with airside access - ideal for air freight, logistics and distribution developments.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Technical Data [13]

  • 2,893 x 60m Runway with CAT III ILS
  • 50,000 sq. ft. Customs Bonded Warehouse
  • Simple Airfield Layout = No slots or congestion
  • B747F / AN-124 and AN-225 Parking on the Main Apron
  • CAT III ILS with an excellent weather record
  • CAT 7 RFFS – Cat 8 & 9 available
  • Fast and efficient turnarounds and on-ramp transfer
  • Equipment for Load / Unload up to B747, AN124 and AN225 
Map:: First Avenue, Doncaster, DN9 3RH

By Sea

Logistics Hub UK, Sheffield City Region - the UK's 'Central and Portcentric' Logistics Location

In the traditional UK distribution model, the transportation of goods from peripheral ports to inland deconsolidation centres (traditionally in the English Midlands), involves significant journey times and costs. The alternative 'port centric' distribution model can reduced costs and delivery times between port and distribution centre. However, because most UK ports are peripherally located, this model typically results in significant transportation times and costs between port centric distribution centres and consumer markets.

Logistics Hub UK’s optimal geography provides distribution companies with a hub location that is both ‘UK central’ and ‘port centric’, based on the close proximity of the Humber ports - all accessible within HGV drive times of 1 hour or less.

A 'Central and Port Centric' Location - Key Benefits

Logistics Hub UK’s unique ‘central and port centric’ location delivers a range of potential benefits to logistics, distribution and warehousing companies, including:
  • Reduced transport times, costs, inventories and carbon emissions
  • Transfer of traffic to the Humber’s smaller, less congested, deep sea ports
  • Reduced auxiliary costs at Humber ports in comparison with larger UK ports
  • The option to off-load freight at continental European ports, followed by short sea legs to the Humber
  • The specialist capabilities of the constituent Humber ports:
    • Hull: 20 miles from the North Sea; all-weather terminal; the UK’s largest offshore wind farm; importation of energy goods
    • Grimsby: The UK’s major car imports terminal
    • Immingham: The UK’s busiest port
    • Goole: The UK’s most inland port, on the river Ouse [4]

The Humber Ports - Key Facts [4]

The Humber Ports are the UK’s largest port by tonnage:
Location000 Tonnes% Combined %
Humber Region79,83115.4 63.4
Milford Haven48,6998.348.0
London48,7968.339.7
Southampton37,8786.431.4
Teesport35,1986.025.0
Liverpool32,6605.619.0
Forth27,8784.713.4
Felixstowe26,8174.68.7
Dover24,2514.14.1
UK Total519,495100100

Humber Port Destinations

Destinations: Northern Europe, Baltic States & Scandinavia
Regular Freight Services Iinclude:
Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Zeebrugge, Esbjerg, Cuxhaven, Goteborg, Vlaardingen, Bilbao
Other Countries Served Include:
Finland (Helsinki, Hamina, Rauma), Sweden, Baltic States, Iceland

Constituent Humber Ports: Key Facts

Immingham
  • 50 million tonnes p.a.
  • 1230 acres
  • Dry Bulk Cargo (Fertiliser, Animal Feeds, Biomass)
  • Iron Ore
  • Oil
  • Coal
  • Containers
  • Ro-Ro (DFDS)
  • Forest Products
  • Liquid Bulks
  • Heavy Lift (DFDS)

Grimsby
  • Approx 1 million tonnes p.a.
  • 550 acres
  • Cars (New River Terminal Opening June 2013)
  • Offshore Wind & Power Activities
  • Forest Products
  • Grimsby Fish Dock

Marine Energy Park (on stream 2015)
  • 2000 acres
  • Offshore Wind Turbine Production Logistics Distriparc

Humber Sea Terminal (Killinghome)
  • 265 acres
  • Four Deep Water River Berths
  • Ro-Ro

Goole ABP
  • 2 million tonnes p.a.
  • 135 acres
  • RMS Terminal
  • Dry & Liquid Bulks
  • Forest Products

Additional Ports & Wharves
  • Tetney Mooring Buoy Petroleum Products
  • New Holland Bulk Terminal Bulk (Gravel)
  • New Holland Dock Steel, Forest Products
  • Barrow Haven Various Bulk
  • Flixborough & Gunness Ferro Alloys, Dry Bulk
  • Wharton Grove Forest Products, Steel, Liquids, Bulk Cargoes
  • Keadby Wharf General Cargo
  • Groveport & Neap House (Largest private inland facility in UK with 11 berths) Bulk Cargos, Forest Products, Steel, Liquids
  • Howdendyke Dry Bulk
  • Saltend Bulk Chemicals

Sponsoring Partners


Supporting Partners