Image: Network Rail.
Network Rail has successfully completed the vital task of connecting the West Coast main line in the UK to a brand-new freight interchange logistics center in Northampton. This significant achievement involved the installation of new track, points, and signaling systems over a nine-day period, establishing a crucial link to the SEGRO logistics park. The logistics park is scheduled to open next year, and it will serve as a hub for four freight trains, marking a significant step forward in enhancing rail freight transportation in the region.
The West Coast main line is already renowned as one of Europe’s busiest freight routes, responsible for transporting 40% of all UK rail freight traffic. This existing prominence makes it an ideal connection point for the forthcoming five-million-square-foot warehouse located at the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton. This warehouse facility is anticipated to employ up to 7,000 individuals, offering both economic growth and sustainable logistics solutions.
James Dean, the West Coast South route director, expressed his enthusiasm about this milestone, stating, “Connecting this new freight interchange to the mainline railway network is a huge milestone and shows our commitment to working with freight operators to move more goods in the most environmentally friendly way possible – by rail.”
Maritime, a prominent freight company, is set to utilize this latest interchange. Maritime’s Executive Chairman, John Williams, emphasized the environmental significance of these developments, saying, “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.”
The shift from road to rail transport has long been a key objective for companies in the UK striving to decarbonize their operations. DP World, for example, recently launched its Modal Shift Programme to encourage the use of rail connections from its logistics hub in Southampton.
According to Network Rail, the implementation of each freight train on the new interchange will have the positive impact of removing the equivalent of up to 76 heavy goods vehicles from the road. This underscores the substantial environmental benefits that this new infrastructure will bring to the region.
