DELIVERY firm TNT has announced who will manage the new South Marston depot, with bosses hopeful the site will be running by the summer.

In January, developers IDI Gazeley broke the ground for the new distribution centre in G Park, next to the B&Q depot, in Highworth Road.

Since then work has continued to take shape at the site, with the result expecting to take up a 55,000 sq ft floor plan and have more than 100 loading bays to accommodate around 40 long-haul trailers.

Yesterday(mar30), the company announced the manager of the multi-million pound south west super depot will be Kevin Allen.

The 54-year-old, who has worked for the company for 24 years, is looking forward to taking on the challenging role later this year.

Kevin, who currently managers the Bristol depot at Yate, said: "I’m looking forwarding to starting my new job in Swindon, and although I will miss my team in Bristol, I am excited about building another high performance team to ensure we give our customers in the South West even better, faster service."

The new depot will provide greater capacity for TNT’s network resulting in faster deliveries for customers.

It is expected to bring 250 new jobs to the town for drivers, loading bay operatives, traffic office staff, administrators and other roles, although not all of these will be full-time.

Earlier this year Simon Harper, director of operations TNT UK, said: “We have been looking to come to Swindon for some time so we are really pleased to have started work on this depot.

“Coupled with TNT’s £35m investment in its fleet of vehicles, the new Swindon centre will enable us to cut delivery times and reduce our carbon footprint.

“Swindon is ideally located for us because of its proximity to key infrastructure.

“We have found the town very welcoming and Forward Swindon has been very helpful getting us over the line.

"At this stage we have not worked out the logistic as to exactly how many jobs it will provide but it will be in the region of 250.

“Given the nature of our business they won’t all be full-time positions.”

The development is being carried out by industrial warehouse developer IDI Gazeley, on a new 10-acre site at the South Marston Industrial Estate, and is due for completion this summer as part of TNT’s ongoing investment programme.

Nigel Godfrey, executive director and UK Country Head for IDI Gazeley, said in January the developers expected building work to complete in 24 weeks before a phased opening of the site.

He said: “We are very pleased to have been chosen by TNT to develop this important new, state of the art parcel delivery distribution warehouse under construction at G Park Swindon.”

In January, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said he welcomed the growing job market in the town.

He said: "This is another huge vote of confidence in our growing Swindon economy that will bring more than 200 jobs to the town.

“This is a reason why there has been a fall in unemployment by 58 per cent since 2010.

“I am very proud that our plan has made a real difference and we are continuing to attract more and more businesses like TNT.”