A MULTI-MILLION fuel depot project has been unveiled by Government executives.

The Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) depot at Gosport will be upgraded as part of a wider investment in developing UK infrastructure across the country.

The Oil Fuel Depot on Forton Road in Gosport acts as a fuel storage facility for naval vessels and other MOD customers and is a ‘filling station’ for ships.

Under the plans, the oil tankers, which are more than 100 years old and coming to the end of their service life will be replaced to meet modern Navy requirements.

The site will be built in phases as tanks will be cut down individually and replaced in rows of two while a new gate house will be built with upgraded security.

Adrian Jackson, chief executive at OPA, said: “Once completed, this multi-million pound investment will ensure the Gosport Oil Fuel Depot will be fully equipped to the latest safety standards, ready to meet future requirements, serving an essential role in the era of the new Queen Elizabeth class carriers.”

With recent news that the area is set to be home to HMS Queen Elizabeth, a new £3.2bn aircraft carrier that will create hundreds of new jobs, councillors say redevelopment is vital to be able to contribute to the site.

Construction is expected to start in spring next year with a 2021 completion date, subject to planning consent.