Europa Worldwide Group recently welcomed local MP Jim Dickson to its Dartford headquarters to discuss how the firm can continue to support work being done to ease congestion in the area.
Europa Worldwide Group’s state-of-the-art 27,000 sq. m transit hub — the largest European groupage facility in the UK — is strategically located adjacent to the Dartford Crossing, a key gateway for UK and European trade. Since opening a decade ago, the hub has evolved into a vital logistics centre, now managing over 40,000 consignments of goods every month. From this flagship site, freight connects daily to 42 continental hubs across the EU.
Europa is a key supporter of the Lower Thames Crossing, which has been successfully championed by Jim Dickson and promises to double road capacity and reduce congestion in the local area.
The UK’s largest planned infrastructure project is a new road that will connect Kent and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames. The route was finally approved in March, with construction planned to start in 2026.
Every day, travellers and commercial vehicles are caught up in congestion in the area, causing long delays and tailbacks. The Dartford Crossing and the surrounding road network are notoriously busy and come to a standstill daily. National trade body Logistics UK estimates that up to £200 million is lost every year in productivity due to congestion at the Dartford Crossing, with businesses across the country experiencing the impact of delays.
During the visit, the team discussed business challenges, including local congestion around the industrial parks and delays at the Dartford Crossing, both of which have a direct impact on logistics operations and the daily commute of its 350 local employees.
During his visit, Jim Dickson enjoyed a tour of Europa’s transit hub and warehouse and discussed solutions to these traffic challenges. Jim Dickson. MP said, "It was fantastic to visit Europa Worldwide Group, a brilliant international logistics company that we're proud to have headquartered here in Dartford, employing over 350 local people.
“I'm looking forward to continuing a strong partnership as we get spades in the ground on the Lower Thames Crossing, and to carry on the work to cut congestion and get Dartford moving."
Jack Baxter, General Manager Haulage at Europa Worldwide Group, said. “We were delighted to host Jim and appreciate his willingness to engage on these important issues. As a significant employer in the area and a major exporter supporting businesses across the UK, we are committed to finding solutions that benefit both local companies and residents.
“The visit marks an important step in ongoing discussions between local stakeholders, policymakers, and the business community to strengthen Dartford’s infrastructure and support sustainable growth.”
Representatives from Europa also recently joined the Kent Invicta Chamber Roundtable meeting with Jim Dickson MP, and other local leading constituency businesses, where the continued congestion problems were debated as an issue that unites everyone in Dartford.