NEW investment and jobs are in the pipeline at logistics group Stobart’s Widnes multi-modal gateway.

The Warrington-based group is working with an unnamed third party to create rail sidings for a new development at the road, rail and sea hub which could be ready by October 2012.

Stobart has already developed a distribution operation for Tesco which now receives six freight trains a day.

Commenting on the new investment deputy chief executive and company secretary Richard Butcher said: “We are working with them on new sidings and it could be ready by October 2012.

“The third party would bring a significant investment and create quite a number of jobs which would be great for the North West and Widnes.”

Stobart is also currently planning the development of phases two and three of the Widnes distribution site.

However, interim results released yesterday revealed a fall in pre-tax profits from £15.4m to £14.7m, despite a 15.3% increase in turnover to £281.1m.

The group said a shift in customer patterns due to the volatile economic conditions disrupted transport operations in the six months to August 31.