A new rail freight interchange under construction in Northampton will cause disruption to passenger services on the West Coast Main Line next month.
The interchange, which is being built by SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton and Maritime, will connect the site to the railway network and specifically the West Coast Main Line. This will allow thousands of tonnes of goods to be transported by rail instead of road, reducing carbon emissions.
Teams will be installing the new track, points and signalling systems and connecting the under-ground interchange to the line alongside The new interchange is expected to be operational by the end of the year and will have the capacity to handle four freight trains per day, taking up to 76 heavy goods vehicles off the road each time.
This will significantly reduce carbon emissions from freight transport and as well as reducing carbon emissions in the area, the huge facility will employ up to 7,000 people.
James Dean, West Coast South route director for Network Rail, said: “We’re delighted to continue working closely with freight partners in delivering this new Strategic Railfreight Interchange at Northampton. This will help deliver better, faster, stronger services to support Britain’s economy and the decarbonisation of transport.
Kate Bedson, SEGRO senior director of national logistics, said: “The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange is a central part of the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton development and we look forward to the connection to the rail network being completed so that the terminal can be operational ahead of the first customer occupying the first warehouse.
“We are confident that the short term disruption while this vital work is undertaken will be far outweighed by the longer term benefits of the overall development and the rail freight capability at this location.”
John Williams, Maritime executive chairman, said: “These developments, at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton are important, long-term commitments for Maritime to reduce our environmental footprint by developing a network of low carbon, strategic freight connections across the country to promote modal shift from road to rail for container transport and for domestic distribution, with local distribution by electric-powered trucks.
“Building and operating modern, inland rail freight interchanges, supported by the largest dedicated fleet of vehicles in the country, enables us to deliver terminal to terminal rail solutions and highly efficient rail to door and door to rail services for our customers who are looking for long term, supply chain protection and sustainable transport solutions.”
Photo Credit: Network Rail
