05.04.17
NR earmarks West Midlands site for sleeper construction facility
Network Rail has identified a site in Sandwell to build a new factory that will produce concrete sleepers for the network in the future.
The railway sidings at Bescot have been selected for the potential project, and will create 100 jobs in the West Midlands whilst ensuring that Bescot is a key location on the nation’s railway map.
If approved, the facility hopes to produce up to 600,000 sleepers a year – making up 60% of the country’s supply, with Network Rail’s separate sleeper facility in Doncaster making up the remaining 40%.
The Bescot site will be directly connected to the network to ensure that sleepers can be transported quickly and easily around Britain.
Martin Frobisher, route managing director of Network Rail’s London and North Western route, said: “Network Rail remains committed to the West Midlands economy which is why Bescot has been identified as our preferred location for the new factory that will retain the bulk of our sleeper manufacturing presence in the region.
“Bescot is ideally placed at the heart of the rail network to provide sleepers across Britain. We are in discussion with the local council to carry out an environmental assessment of the proposed factory and its impact on the surrounding area before we fully consult with local people and stakeholders on our plans.”
The construction of the facility comes as part of Network Rail’s ongoing Railway Upgrade Plan that is committed to improving the railway for passengers. This spring, Network Rail will award a 15-year contract to manufacture concrete railway sleepers.
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