A comprehensive plan to transform over 30 acres of brownfield land at Bow Goods Yard in East London into a rail freight campus and logistics hub has received unanimous approval from the London Legacy Development Corporation. This marks the final parcel of London's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy land to be developed and Network Rail Property's first independent planning submission.
The industrial-led masterplan includes up to 3 million square feet of floorspace for heavy and light industrial use, aiming to create a centralised hub for Network Rail and accelerate London's transition to green freight. By diverting up to 90,000 heavy goods vehicle movements annually from the road network, the project will significantly reduce congestion and emissions.
In addition to industrial development, the masterplan proposes a range of leisure amenities, including up to 350,000 square feet of destination leisure, 35,000 square feet of food and beverage options, and 55,000 square feet of sports pitches to complement existing facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Bow Goods Yard plays a crucial role in London's construction sector, supplying over a million tonnes of aggregates annually. Rail freight contributes £2.5 billion to the UK economy, and hubs like Bow Goods Yard are essential for expanding sustainable freight as businesses shift away from road transport.
The development will enhance rail freight capacity and efficiency by consolidating operations, enclosing the concrete-batching facility, and creating an integrated last-mile logistics hub. The project is expected to generate up to 5,000 new jobs.
Currently an isolated site, large portions of Bow Goods Yard are inaccessible to the local community. The masterplan includes the creation of 200,000 square feet of new public open space, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, and the introduction of 150 trees, green walls, and green roofs.
Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, said:
“Transforming this strategically underutilised freight site into the largest industrial and logistics campus that serves the whole of East London is central to expanding rail freight capacity and supporting the capital's logistics market.”
“The approval of this masterplan submitted by Network Rail Property is a major milestone in repositioning the property business. It marks our ambition to drive growth and investment across our brownfield estate, taking the lead on complex projects to ensure we deliver the widest mix of commercial and social opportunities. By working closely with local communities and businesses, we are ensuring sites like Bow Goods Yard will support the local area for generations to come.”
Image credit: Network Rail and iStock
