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Ports are key to solving UK’s housing crisis, says Peel

[ October 1, 2026   //   ]

Peel Ports Group is calling for the creation of port-centric hubs to help smooth the flow of construction materials into and around the country, ahead of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Budget.

The new government has set out what Burnham has called the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period but Housing Secretary Angela Rayner told the BBC this month that ‘headwinds’ mean there is a ‘slim chance’ of meeting this, Peel points out.

As well as housing, there is a pipeline of infrastructure projects, including Sizewell C, the Lower Thames Crossing, the building of East Anglia reservoirs and Heathrow Airport expansion.

Peel Ports chief operating officer, David Huck, said: “Despite being tasked with an ambitious pipeline of projects, the construction industry is seemingly struggling to overcome a combination of hurdles, from higher material costs to skills shortages, and the government has acknowledged even its own ambitions may not be achievable.

“We believe an obvious place to start is with how vital construction materials get into and move around the country. A more considered, sustainable and better-coordinated approach could open up growth right across the country, and that’s why we’re partnering with like-minded businesses through our Sustainable Construction Partners.”

Peel Ports Group’s Sustainable Construction Partner collaboration programme seeks to enable port-centric hubs to deliver lower cost, carbon and congestion impact.

It brings the four organisations together at dedicated deep-water consolidation hubs, including the Port of London Medway and Port of East Anglia. The hubs are already supporting the delivery of Sizewell C, the Lower Thames Crossing and other major projects across the south east.

The four companies  have collaborated on a wider research project into the UK’s construction supply chain, assessing where the biggest barriers to efficiency and resilience lie. Full findings will be published in early 2027.

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