DPD has invested £3.5m on a new depot in Peterborough, which will be double the size of its current site in the city.

The 37,000ft² site at the Gateway Peterborough distribution park will become fully operational in April and will replace its current Peterborough depot.

It will give the operator improved access to the motorway network as it is located close to junction 17 of the A1, and will improve efficiency with the installation of an automated sorter capable of processing 3,500 parcels an hour.

The site is expected to create 50 new jobs.

CEO Dwain McDonald said: “Peterborough reflects what is happening across the country at the moment. We have outgrown our old site and to improve efficiency we needed more loading bays, better access to the local road network and the latest sortation equipment.”

“The expansion is set to continue as we are committed to having the most efficient and up to date network in the market so that our customers can really see the benefits of using DPD,” he said.

Last year DPD began work on an £100m fourth hub in Leicestershire and unveiled plans to build new depots in Smethwick, Sheffield, Teesside, and Snetterton, Norfolk.