HGV Driver Jobs at East Midlands Gateway

Quick Answer

East Midlands Gateway is one of the UK's major multimodal logistics hubs, making the Castle Donington area an important employment location for HGV drivers.

The 700-acre SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway sits immediately beside East Midlands Airport and M1 Junction 24, combining major distribution warehouses with a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange. The site has delivered more than 4.5 million sq ft of logistics accommodation and its rail terminal can handle up to sixteen 775-metre freight trains per day. 

Current recruitment around the gateway includes Class 1 C+E, Class 2 and relief driving positions, with opportunities covering trunking, RDC deliveries, store deliveries, multi-drop work, day shifts, night shifts and ongoing temporary-to-permanent employment. 

For HGV drivers, the location is particularly attractive because it combines M1 access, East Midlands Airport, rail freight and a huge concentration of logistics operations within one employment area.

Looking for your next HGV opportunity? Get In Touch with WSUK.

What is East Midlands Gateway?

East Midlands Gateway is a major logistics and distribution development located around Castle Donington and Kegworth, immediately north of East Midlands Airport.

The full development is known as SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway, or SLPEMG.

It covers approximately 700 acres and was designed around a genuinely multimodal approach to logistics.

That means:

Road + Rail + Air

The site has direct access to M1 Junction 24, sits next to East Midlands Airport and incorporates a major rail freight terminal. 

This makes it very different from a conventional industrial estate.

Goods can arrive by road.

Goods can arrive by rail.

Goods can arrive through the nearby airport.

They can then be stored, processed and redistributed through the national logistics network.

For HGV drivers, that creates a particularly diverse transport environment.

Why East Midlands Gateway matters for HGV drivers

The scale of the development is the first reason.

SEGRO says the 700-acre park has delivered more than 4.5 million sq ft of logistics accommodation, while its Strategic Rail Freight Interchange occupies around 50 acres. 

Major businesses have established operations at the site, including:

• Amazon
• DHL
• Kuehne+Nagel
• XPO Logistics
• Games Workshop
• GXO
• CEVA
• Maersk
• Arvato

SEGRO's own development material identifies a range of major logistics occupiers across the park. 

That means the employment market isn't dependent on one company.

Different operators require different types of drivers.

One may need trunking.

Another may require store deliveries.

Another may operate regional distribution.

Another may need drivers with ADR qualifications.

Another may require drivers moving freight between distribution centres.

East Midlands Gateway was designed as an inland port

One of the most interesting things about the site is that it was deliberately developed as an "inland port".

When SEGRO and Roxhill launched the project in 2017, they described it as a 700-acre inland port combining connections to the M1, East Midlands Airport and a major new rail freight terminal. 

The development included a substantial infrastructure programme.

SEGRO committed around £100 million towards infrastructure, including the rail terminal and road improvements, while associated highway improvements were made around M1 Junctions 24 and 24A. 

This wasn't simply a case of building warehouses and hoping the roads could cope.

The transport infrastructure was designed as part of the development itself.

That is one reason East Midlands Gateway has become such an important HGV employment hub.

The history of East Midlands Gateway

East Midlands Gateway is a relatively modern logistics development, but its story is closely linked to the much older transport importance of the East Midlands.

The modern logistics park began development in 2017, transforming a large area of farmland into a major multimodal freight complex. 

One of the biggest infrastructure projects was the construction of the Kegworth Bypass and new bridge over the M1.

The bridge weighs almost 1,200 tonnes and was constructed as part of the wider transport infrastructure supporting the logistics park. 

The bypass was particularly important for Kegworth itself.

SEGRO said the project was designed to reduce traffic and HGV movements through the historic village by around 60%. 

So the development wasn't simply about creating a logistics park.

It required a significant reshaping of the surrounding transport network.

The railway connection

Rail is one of the defining features of East Midlands Gateway.

The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange connects to the Castle Donington freight line, providing access to the wider UK rail freight network and major ports. 

The terminal is capable of handling up to 16 freight trains per day, with trains of up to 775 metres in length. 

The first regular rail freight service began in January 2020, connecting East Midlands Gateway with the Port of Felixstowe. The initial service could carry up to 70 containers. 

This is significant for HGV drivers because rail does not remove road transport from the supply chain.

It changes where the road transport begins and ends.

A simplified supply chain might look like:

Port → Rail → East Midlands Gateway → HGV → Distribution Centre

Or:

Manufacturer → HGV → East Midlands Gateway → Rail → Port

The HGV is still a crucial link.

East Midlands Airport adds another dimension

East Midlands Gateway is also directly adjacent to East Midlands Airport.

That gives the location an unusual combination of:

• Road freight
• Rail freight
• Air freight
• Warehousing
• Distribution
• National logistics

SEGRO specifically describes the location as being adjacent to East Midlands Airport with direct access to the M1. 

East Midlands Airport is also a major UK air cargo location.

For HGV drivers, this means the wider Castle Donington employment market can include transport operations supporting time-sensitive freight and airport logistics as well as traditional warehouse distribution.

HGV Class 1 jobs at East Midlands Gateway

Class 1 / C+E is particularly relevant around East Midlands Gateway.

Current recruitment demonstrates the variety.

A current Castle Donington Class 1 position is recruiting drivers for a global distribution operation, with day and night shifts, flexible start times and ongoing work. 

Another current Class 1 vacancy involves trunking to national distribution centres, with no handballing, curtain-sided trailers and flexible day and night patterns. 

Other current recruitment around the gateway includes store deliveries and trunking work for major logistics operations. 

Depending on the employer, Class 1 work can include:

• Trunking
• RDC deliveries
• Store deliveries
• Regional distribution
• National distribution
• Trailer swaps
• Collections
• General haulage
• Container movements
• Airport-related freight
• Multi-drop operations

HGV trunking jobs at East Midlands Gateway

Trunking is particularly relevant to the gateway because of its position within the national distribution network.

A driver may be responsible for moving a loaded trailer from:

East Midlands Gateway → RDC

or:

RDC → East Midlands Gateway

or between different distribution centres across the UK.

Some current vacancies specifically advertise trunking to national distribution centres with no handballing required. 

For drivers who prefer straightforward trunking rather than a large number of individual drops, these roles can be attractive.

The exact route and working pattern depend on the employer.

HGV Class 2 jobs at East Midlands Gateway

East Midlands Gateway also has opportunities for Class 2 / Category C drivers.

Current recruitment includes permanent ADR Class 2 work involving multi-drop deliveries to commercial customers, with limited residential deliveries. 

Other relief positions around the gateway cover both Class 1 and Class 2 work, including trailer swaps, RDC deliveries and multi-drop operations. 

Class 2 work can therefore include:

• Commercial deliveries
• Multi-drop
• Regional distribution
• RDC deliveries
• Collections
• Pallet deliveries
• Specialist transport
• ADR work

ADR HGV jobs at East Midlands Gateway

One particularly interesting part of the current employment market is ADR driving.

Recent East Midlands Gateway recruitment includes permanent Class 1 ADR and Class 2 ADR positions. One current Class 1 role involves trailer swaps, trunking and deliveries or collections to commercial premises, with ADR forming a core part of the operation. 

This highlights another advantage of targeting a major logistics hub.

The larger and more diverse the logistics operation, the more specialist transport roles can become available.

For suitably qualified drivers, searches such as:

ADR HGV driver jobs East Midlands Gateway

can uncover a different section of the employment market from general Class 1 searches.

HGV night driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway

The gateway is also well suited to drivers who prefer night work.

Current Class 1 recruitment around Castle Donington includes both day and night shifts, while some operations provide flexible start times between afternoon and evening for night work. 

Night HGV work can include:

• Trunking
• RDC movements
• Store deliveries
• Long-distance work
• Airport-related transport
• National distribution

For some drivers, the quieter roads and different working pattern are a major benefit.

Temporary HGV driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway

Temporary work is another significant part of the local HGV market.

Current recruitment includes temporary Class 1 positions with ongoing work and temp-to-perm potential. 

Temporary HGV work can be useful for drivers looking for:

• Immediate work
• Flexible shifts
• Additional hours
• Short-term contracts
• Ongoing agency assignments
• Holiday cover
• Peak-period work
• A route into permanent employment

WSUK provides Temporary Driving Jobs for drivers looking for flexible logistics opportunities.

Permanent HGV driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway

There is also a strong permanent employment market.

A current Castle Donington Class 1 vacancy offers ongoing permanent work with day and night shifts. 

Permanent ADR Class 1 and Class 2 opportunities are also currently being advertised at East Midlands Gateway. 

Permanent roles can appeal to drivers looking for:

• Stable employment
• Regular shifts
• Long-term work
• Holiday entitlement
• Pension arrangements
• Consistent routes
• Career progression

For employers seeking long-term logistics staff, WSUK provides Permanent Recruitment.

The M1 Junction 24

The M1 Junction 24 is arguably the most important road connection at East Midlands Gateway.

The logistics park has direct access to the junction, putting HGVs immediately onto one of Britain's principal north-south freight routes. 

From Junction 24, drivers can access the wider motorway network towards:

• Nottingham
• Derby
• Leicester
• Sheffield
• Birmingham
• Northampton
• Milton Keynes
• London
• Yorkshire
• the North West

That central positioning is one of the main reasons companies have invested so heavily in the location.

M1 Junction 24A

The wider infrastructure around East Midlands Gateway also includes Junction 24A, creating additional strategic road capacity around the development.

SEGRO's original infrastructure programme specifically included improvements to Junctions 24 and 24A. 

For a major HGV hub, having more than one strategic motorway connection in the surrounding network is important.

It provides greater flexibility for distribution traffic and reduces reliance on local roads.

A50

The A50 is another important route for HGV drivers working around East Midlands Gateway.

It provides a major east-west connection across the East Midlands, linking the Derby and Stoke-on-Trent areas with the M1.

This makes the gateway particularly useful for transport operations serving:

• Derby
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Staffordshire
• Nottingham
• Leicester
• the wider Midlands

The development of East Midlands Gateway included significant work around the A50 as part of the wider infrastructure improvements. 

A6, A42 and the wider road network

The wider Castle Donington area also connects into the A6 and A42, providing additional routes into Leicestershire, Derbyshire and the wider Midlands.

For HGV drivers, this means a job based at East Midlands Gateway does not necessarily mean every journey begins or ends on the M1.

Local and regional routes can use a much broader road network.

East Midlands Gateway and the Midlands Golden Triangle

East Midlands Gateway is an important part of the Midlands Golden Triangle logistics market.

Its position between Leicester, Nottingham and Derby is particularly significant.

SEGRO describes Nottingham as approximately 13 miles away, Leicester around 20 miles away and Derby around 14 miles away. 

That places the gateway almost centrally between three major East Midlands cities.

It also gives employers access to a very substantial workforce.

When the park was being developed, SEGRO estimated that approximately one million people were within a 30-minute drive of the site. 

That workforce access is one of the reasons East Midlands Gateway has been so successful.

Which towns are within the wider workforce catchment?

HGV drivers and logistics workers can potentially travel to East Midlands Gateway from a large area.

This includes:

• Castle Donington
• Kegworth
• Derby
• Nottingham
• Leicester
• Loughborough
• Long Eaton
• Coalville
• Shepshed
• Burton upon Trent
• Hinckley
• Melton Mowbray
• Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Ilkeston
• Beeston
• Nuneaton

Further afield, the wider Midlands logistics workforce can also extend towards Coventry, Birmingham and Northampton depending on the shift pattern.

This is why East Midlands Gateway should be treated as a regional employment hub rather than simply a Castle Donington job location.

Major employers at East Midlands Gateway

The scale of the gateway becomes clearer when looking at the companies that have established operations there.

The development has attracted businesses including:

Amazon

Large-scale fulfilment and logistics activity.

DHL

Major logistics and distribution operations.

Kuehne+Nagel

Global transport and logistics operations.

XPO Logistics

Transport and supply-chain activity.

Games Workshop

A major distribution operation serving its international customer base.

Maersk

A large logistics facility supporting its end-to-end supply-chain operations.

SEGRO's announcements document the growth of these and other occupiers across the park. 

For HGV drivers, that diversity is important.

Different employers can offer very different types of driving work.

Maersk's investment at East Midlands Gateway

One of the more recent developments was the creation of a 685,000 sq ft Maersk centre of excellence at the park.

SEGRO said the facility was designed to support Maersk's end-to-end logistics offering and included provisions for future electric HGV operations. 

That gives another indication of the direction in which the logistics industry is moving.

The HGV employment market is increasingly becoming connected to:

• Multimodal logistics
• Technology
• Automation
• Fleet electrification
• Data-driven transport
• International supply chains

Drivers entering the industry today are therefore joining a sector that is changing rapidly.

East Midlands Gateway is still expanding

The original development was planned around up to 6 million sq ft of logistics accommodation.

More than 4.5 million sq ft has now been delivered. 

And the story doesn't stop there.

SEGRO is progressing proposals for East Midlands Gateway 2, which could deliver a further 3.5 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space, subject to planning consent. 

The current planning process for EMG2 is a significant development for the wider area.

For HGV drivers and logistics workers, further logistics capacity potentially means another long-term source of transport and supply-chain employment.

What does East Midlands Gateway mean for HGV drivers?

It means the local market is broader than simply:

"warehouse jobs near Castle Donington."

The gateway combines:

Warehouse + HGV + Rail + Airport + National Distribution

That creates demand across multiple types of professional driving.

You may find:

• Class 1 trunking
• Class 1 store deliveries
• Class 1 RDC work
• Class 2 multi-drop
• ADR driving
• Relief driving
• Regional deliveries
• National haulage
• Temporary HGV work
• Permanent HGV work
• Day driving
• Night driving

The precise vacancies change constantly.

But the underlying logistics infrastructure isn't going anywhere.

What HGV licence do you need?

The licence depends on the job.

Class 1 / C+E

Usually required for articulated HGVs.

Typical work includes:

• Trunking
• RDC distribution
• Store deliveries
• National haulage
• Trailer swaps
• Long-distance transport

Class 2 / Category C

Used for rigid HGVs.

Typical work includes:

• Multi-drop
• Regional distribution
• Commercial deliveries
• Store deliveries
• Specialist transport

C1 / 7.5 tonne

Used for smaller HGVs and certain regional delivery operations.

Some specialist positions can also require ADR certification.

Drivers will generally need the relevant Driver CPC and Digital Tachograph card for applicable professional driving work.

Always check the individual vacancy for its exact requirements.

What is it like working at a major multimodal logistics hub?

East Midlands Gateway is not a small local depot.

Drivers can be working alongside:

• Large distribution centres
• Rail freight operations
• Airport logistics
• National retailers
• International logistics companies
• Automated warehouses
• Large transport fleets

That can mean a highly structured working environment.

Drivers may encounter:

• Strict delivery slots
• Security procedures
• Vehicle inspections
• Trailer checks
• Loading bays
• Transport management systems
• Digital tachograph requirements
• Site traffic management
• Yard movements
• Delivery paperwork

For drivers who enjoy working in a major logistics environment, that can be a significant advantage.

What should you search for?

If you're looking for HGV work around East Midlands Gateway, don't search just one phrase.

Try:

• HGV driver jobs East Midlands Gateway
• HGV driver jobs Castle Donington
• Class 1 driver jobs East Midlands Gateway
• Class 1 driver jobs Castle Donington
• Class 2 driver jobs East Midlands Gateway
• HGV jobs Castle Donington
• HGV night driver jobs Castle Donington
• HGV trunking jobs East Midlands Gateway
• HGV store delivery jobs Castle Donington
• temporary HGV jobs East Midlands Gateway
• permanent HGV jobs East Midlands Gateway
• ADR HGV driver jobs East Midlands Gateway
• C+E driver jobs Castle Donington
• HGV driver jobs near East Midlands Airport
• HGV driver jobs near M1 Junction 24

This matters because employers can advertise the same geographical area using different terms.

A vacancy might say:

Castle Donington

East Midlands Gateway

East Midlands Airport

DE74

or simply Derby.

Searching across the whole cluster can reveal more opportunities.

Can employers recruit HGV drivers through WSUK?

Yes.

WSUK supports logistics businesses looking for professional drivers across the Midlands.

Employers needing qualified drivers can use HGV Driver Supply for dedicated HGV recruitment.

For wider transport and logistics recruitment, WSUK provides Logistics Recruitment.

Where demand changes throughout the year, Logistics Temporary Staffing can help businesses access temporary logistics workers.

This can be particularly useful around a major hub such as East Midlands Gateway, where customer demand, peak periods and new logistics contracts can change staffing requirements.

Need HGV drivers for your operation? Get In Touch with WSUK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there HGV driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current recruitment around Castle Donington and East Midlands Gateway includes Class 1 and Class 2 HGV opportunities, including temporary, permanent and ongoing positions. 

Are there Class 1 driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current recruitment includes Class 1 trunking, store delivery and distribution roles, with both day and night shifts available. 

Are there Class 2 driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current recruitment includes Class 2 roles, including multi-drop commercial deliveries and relief positions covering both Class 1 and Class 2 work. 

Are there ADR HGV jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current recruitment includes both Class 1 and Class 2 ADR positions at East Midlands Gateway. 

Are there night HGV jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current Class 1 recruitment around Castle Donington includes night shifts as well as daytime work. 

Are there temporary HGV jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Current recruitment includes temporary and ongoing Class 1 positions, with some offering a route towards permanent employment. 

Are there permanent HGV jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

Yes. Permanent Class 1 and Class 2 positions are currently being advertised around the gateway. 

Where is East Midlands Gateway?

East Midlands Gateway is located around Castle Donington and Kegworth, immediately beside East Midlands Airport and M1 Junction 24. 

Is East Midlands Gateway part of the Midlands Golden Triangle?

It is a major logistics hub within the wider Midlands Golden Triangle, strategically positioned between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester with direct motorway, rail and airport connectivity. 

Does East Midlands Gateway have a rail terminal?

Yes. The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange includes a major rail terminal capable of handling up to 16 775-metre freight trains per day. 

Is East Midlands Gateway close to East Midlands Airport?

Yes. The logistics park is immediately adjacent to East Midlands Airport, creating a rare combination of air, road and rail freight infrastructure. 

What HGV licence do I need?

It depends on the vacancy. Class 1 normally requires C+E, Class 2 requires Category C and smaller HGV roles can require C1. Specialist roles may additionally require qualifications such as ADR.

Looking for HGV driver jobs at East Midlands Gateway?

East Midlands Gateway has developed into something considerably bigger than a conventional logistics park.

It combines major distribution warehouses, a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, East Midlands Airport and direct M1 access in one of the UK's most strategically positioned freight locations.

For HGV drivers, that creates a wide range of potential opportunities.

Whether you're looking for:

• Class 1
• Class 2
• C1 / 7.5 tonne
• ADR driving
• Temporary HGV work
• Permanent HGV work
• Day shifts
• Night shifts
• Trunking
• Store deliveries
• RDC work
• Regional distribution
• National haulage

East Midlands Gateway is one of the key logistics employment hubs to consider.

And with further development proposed through East Midlands Gateway 2, its importance to the East Midlands logistics economy is likely to continue growing. 

For drivers looking for current opportunities, Get In Touch with WSUK.

For employers needing qualified HGV drivers, explore HGV Driver Supply.

Road, rail and air meet at East Midlands Gateway — and HGV drivers are a crucial part of keeping that network moving.